Jared, a gifted art student in Sue Silverstein’s brilliant and electric art program, has struck again. His creative spark is burning brightly.

This is one of the first photos from Sue’s assignment asking students to photograph students – themselves and one another – wearing vintage clothing that angels from outside have donated.

People from all over the country sent them robes, hats, dresses, furs, and scarves. Thank you all again.

This is an exercise in imagination as well as fashion culture. The students have to stand in their shoes and wear the clothes of others from other places and at other times.

The students did an amazing job, and I have ten of their vintage photo pictures to put up on the blog in the morning. It is too late, and I am too tired tonight.

Sue never asks for money; she asks only for recycled and abandoned things that she magically turns into art and art projects. I am urging her to put together a Bishop Gibbons Amaxon Art Supplies Wish List – fuel for the fire..

I put Jared’s newest self-portrait up above (he did the Lego Photo spooking fashion culture – see below ).

I’m meeting with him on Friday. Because of that photo, an angel from the Army Of Good read my blog and bought him two tickets to the Brick Universe New York Lego Fan Expo in Albany in April.

Jared was eager to go, but the expo was all sold out and too expensive.

Terry called the school and arranged to send the tickets. I have no idea who she is or where she is, but I thank her for her generosity. Jared is deserving.

He is quiet and gifted, and I look forward to meeting with him on Friday, getting to know him better, writing about him and Sue’s dazzling art program, and helping him in any way  I can.

I’m sure I will be asking for help. I’m thinking he may need a new camera.

Sue’s art program seeks used and discarded things to make art – metal, pieces of wood, old jewelry, abandoned toys, paint and canvases, metal objects, and vintage clothes and hats. If you have any of these items and want to put them to good use, you can send them to Sue Silverstein, Bishop Gibbons High School, 2600 Albany Street, Schenectady, N.Y., 12304.)

I’m doing a photo spread tomorrow morning on the remarkable first photographs beginning to emerge from Sue’s class.  The kids are excited about this idea of Sue’s; they can’t wait to do more.

The assignment was to use vintage clothing to spark new ideas about photography.

I was stunned and dazzled by what these kids do in Sue Silverstein’s class. I’ll post nine more of these photos in the morning. Seeing these eager and creative souls catch fire and open up is a joy.

Sue’s program boosts confidence, encourages experimentation, and lights the creative spark.

As long as I’ve known Sue, I’ve seen her do this repeatedly. She has taken kids who are both wealthy and poor  – Bishop Gibbons has both – and inspired them,  but the work she has done with refugee children always will stand out in my mind.

She has welcomed kids who have grown up in refugee camps, given them love, comfort, food, and clothing, seen their families butchered and slaughtered, and fled as their homes and villages burned.

She teaches them English, gets necessities for their families,  respects and encourages them, and helps everyone into college pursue their dreams of life in America. Her students never let go of her; they all returned to get in touch and thank her.

Sue teaches community service, creativity, and compassion. She uses art to jumpstart their new lives and give them a reason to be proud and engaged. Love works better than anything. She insists that her students be good to each other.

Sue is as close to a saint as I will meet; she has taught me what it can mean to be a Christian, even if I can’t be one. Sue’s classroom closets are always full of healthy breakfast snacks for the kids who get no breakfast. There are more than one might think.

I love that she permitted Jared to photograph in his way and to use his rich imagination; he has the eye and the soul for it.

And thanks to Terry, he can go to the Lego Fan Expo in Albany in April. I’ll be eager to see what comes of that.

I’ll post the other very striking photos in the morning. This assignment was a brilliant idea.