Thanks once more for your help with Sue Silverstein’s brilliant and effective art program. Art matters, and Sue is keeping art education for children going. Thanks for helping her get those starter sewing machines. They are a huge hit, and thanks for sending her so many things; she magically turns them into art and education. If you want an antidote to the poison coming out of the news, follow Sue and her work. It is hope personified and healing all in itself. Sue is just what the world should be. Jon.
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News from the Art Room – A Mountain of Pillows!
The new sewing machines have been sewing nonstop all week! It’s truly been wonderful to see. The 7th-grade students have made so many pillows that there is literally a mountain of them in the art room. Some very neat things happened in that class during the sewing project. As soon as one student learns to operate the sewing machine, they immediately start helping the other students waiting for their turn. Marco is the chief needle threader and stands at the ready to rethread anytime he’s needed. Several of them asked to make second gifts for grandmothers, too.
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They are quick studies and so fun to work with. They give 100 percent to every project. Most of them had never sewn on a machine before this week and are already using them with almost no assistance needed. The older students have been sewing as well. Scarlet made a case for her laptop, and Amaya created cases for her phone and headphones.
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Chhayah and Naallyah love big mixed media creations; they take old frames and create new images on top of the glass. This time, they used yarn, sand, beads, and paint in the Piglet and Pooh Bear fanciful artworks. They make me smile!
Janaya and Kailey have outdone themselves on their second refurbished chair. This one is based on Monet’s water lily paintings. I have to say that it is truly an exceptional work. Those two could open an oceanside shop and sell their work; it’s as good as any I have seen. They like to keep it, though, which is totally understandable considering the hours they spend on each thing they refinish.
I have so many people to thank this week!
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I thank Patricia from NJ for the great fabrics and other items. She said she noticed some of the fabrics she’d previously sent in the quilt that Chhayah made and was happy to see them.
Regina from NC has sent multiple boxes full of the most wonderful stamping and crafting project supplies. The students especially love the project kits and scrapbooking supplies in the art club.
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Her boxes always arrive with a beautiful note for the students on a handcrafted card!
Lynne from NJ sent us a box with lots of useful items as well! Thank you, Lynne.
Kathy from MA chose a mushroom theme this week! So many adorable things and helpful art supplies! I don’t know how she does it! Thank you, Kathy!
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Kathleen from NY sent absolutely helpful canvas, brushes, and papers! Thank you, Kathleen!
The Congressional Art competition reception is tomorrow night! Wish us luck! It’s a huge honor to participate!
We are still looking for puzzles! Healthy snacks, paint, small-sized glue sticks, clear glue, and canvas, too!
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Thank you to everyone who supports our program or sends good thoughts our way! We are truly blessed!
Don’t forget the kids love your letters, and we will hang them in the room. Send us photos too!
The address is: NDBG 2600 Albany Street, Schenectady, New York 12304
I love hearing from you. My email is [email protected]
Have a blessed day!
Sue
ND-BG
2600 Albany Street
Schenectady, New York 12304
These pictures gave me joy today. Seeing the extraordinary talent of the students gives me hope. Knowing they are in a place where they are loved and respected lets their creativity blossom !
It’s a wonderful thing to see, for sure..thanks Laura