Bernadette C. Waystack » Uncategorized

The “Provincetown Project”

Bernadette — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:50:34 +0000

Harwich Middle School Eighth Graders descend on PAAM for the 4th annual Field Trip

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Each year around this time I implement the Grade 8 Visual Arts curriculum I designed which is referred to as “The Provincetown Project”.

Caitlyn, HMS grade 8 participated in "Art on the Edge", a Saturday program at PAAM. Her work and that of 2 other HMS students is now on exhibit at the museum.

Students in the Harwich Public Schools take classes in the visual arts from Kindergarten through 8^th grade as per the Massachusetts Department of Education’s mandate that the arts are part of a core curriculum. After this year some students will go on to study graphics at Cape Cod Tech and some will fulfill their Fine Arts requirement at Harwich High through continued study in studio arts. But for many, this is the last time they will engage in a formal program of study in the visual arts. The NEED program in 5^th grade brings students to the National Seashore to expose them to the natural treasures on their very doorstep. By the same token, they should be exposed to the significant cultural treasure in their own back yard. Rather than going over the bridge to the MFA in Boston, students learned firsthand of the major role that Provincetown and its art colony played,– and continues to play, in the emergence of modern art in the 20^th century and its continued impact world-wide.

An Homage to Ferol Sibley-Warthen by Fiona, class of 2006

Students take a field trip to the Provincetown Art Association & Museum in the late fall or winter. Through the efforts of education curator Lynn Stanley and the support of director Chris McCarthy, they are given an in-depth exposure to and hands-on

Teacher "Profe" Keefe and her posse all join in the drawing exercises.

experiences with the art of Provincetown and its many illustrious artists. From Charles Hawthorne through Hans Hofmann and right up to contemporary artists living and working here today, students are thoroughly grounded in the depth and breath of art in Provincetown.

Students got to meet some muppets and their designer in one of this year's exhibits.

After studying the history of the colony and taking an exam, students selected their own choice of artist to research and then write brief research papers. Finally they worked on independent studio projects of their own choice, either copying a piece of their artists’ work or creating an original of their own in the style of the artist. The final assignment was to write a reflective piece which is displayed as an “artist’s statement” with the work on exhibit in the HMS Media center.

This little show is the culmination of a program of study spanning

A Peter Busa by Nell O, from 2006

their entire 8^th grade year–and for many, their last year- of study in art. Each year the students exceed expectations. I hope to be able to continue to find the grants to support this endeavor. And I hope you will agree that the work that is done is a wonderful testament to their talents and pays fitting homage to the artists and the art colony of Provincetown.

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: arts curriculum, middle school arts

NOT a “Hotel,Motel Art Fair”

Bernadette — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:37:22 +0000

Good art won’t match your sofa.

Fred C.Babb

Arrrghhh!!!!

If I hear about the Starving Artist’s “Art” sale once more I’ll blow a gasket. I thought they were all over as of last weekend. Sofa-sized paintings as low as $19.00 and NO admission fee. Cool! You don’t have to pay to go look at ,and buy crap, that you shouldn’t take for free anyway.

The Beach House, oil on canvas

Fortunately here on Cape Cod we are blessed with an antidote: an abundance of quality local art and what I really wanted to mention in this post are 2 shows currently on exhibit to which I am connected.

Opening tomorrow and running through February 22^nd at the Cape Cod Museum of Art is “Teaching Art/Creating Art”, a juried show of work by members of the Cape Cod & Islands Art Educators Association. Two of my paintings were selected for this exhibit and the reception for the show is Thursday,

Morning Marshlight, pastel

January 22^nd from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

Also running until January 18^th at Provincetown Art Association and Museum is a student exhibition called “Art on the Edge”. This is the culmination of 12 Saturdays of work from a free middle school art program. Several of my current students at Harwich Middle School participated and their work is now on display at PAAM. There will be a pot-luck reception on Friday, January 16, 2009 from 6-8 PM to which all are welcome.

On Tuesday of this week, we had mounted our annual Gr.8 field trip to PAAM as part of my curriculum of study on the history of the art colony. This year’s trip was especially important as the entire class got to see the work of two of their peers on display along with all of the other shows currently running.

HMS 8th Graders invade PAAM

My next post will feature some scenes from the trip and a little information about the program of study I designed and implemented.

Posted in BCWaystack's Gallery Page, Uncategorized Tagged: Cape Cod & Islands Art Educators Association, Cape Cod Museum of Art, Fred C. Babb, Harwich Middle School, Provincetown Art Association & Museum, Starving Artists Art Sale

New Year, New Resolve

Bernadette — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:32:17 +0000

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to revamp this blog and be more consistent about using it. Unfortunately a bit has changed with WordPress since I last posted and I don’t remember some of the things I need to do to edit its appearance and all. Looks to be a steep learning curve before I can really get running. But this will be a start.

This is "Before".....you don't want to see the "After(math)" yet

One catagory that is already gone is Inner Pearl Studio/Hyannis Art Scene. I moved out of 50 Pearl St at year’s end and am very happily ensconced back in my home studio in Harwich Port. It was exciting to have the opportunity to explore the newly emerging art district firsthand. But I had misgivings all along about commuting 15 miles to work and my previous committment to working on the masters at SCAD to consider as well. It will take some time, especially in the current economy, for the Hyannis Art Scene to become established and I just had to face the fact that this isn’t the time for me.

All the more reason for me to increase my presence on the web. I look forward to a bit of an expansion of the blog’s scope and regular postings on a variety of interrelated topics on art and other interests.

Hope some of you will check up on me to make sure I get it all done. Please come by to read and share often when I have done so.

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Harwich Port, Home Studio, New Year's Resolution

Holy Holidays!, Already?

Bernadette — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:21:56 +0000

Once again I am apologizing for letting the blogs lapse. I know better. Rule number 1 is if I want to keep the word out there I have to be consistent in the postings. I have failed miserably in that yet again however I have just completed the fall quarter on line at SCAD and finished Contemporary Art this week, including a 10-page thesis paper.

So that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it but figured I’d let everyone know what is next on the agenda.

Peace Prayer-available as tile and as Christmas cards

My artwork is always neglected significantly when school’s in session and I’m teaching full time. It fell to 3rd place (or lower) while I have been part time student as well. So the news from Inner Pearl Studio has been very scant for quite sometime as well.

But Deb and I wanted to let everyone know that we are having a Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 6th from 2-4 PM as part of the Hyannis Christmas Stroll. Stop by for a cup of holiday cheer and visit with us. All work will be 10% off and we’ll have some mulled cider and cookies to share.

Red River in Winter- prints available

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: 10% off, Add new tag, Christmas Stroll, Holiday Open House

The SCAD Chronicles Episode 3

Bernadette — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:38:22 +0000

The Equinox Jazz Orchestra performs at “Savannah Swings” on July 4th. Dori takes a break from the SCAD grind to enjoy the show.

Like the card I sent my husband last week said, “I can’t be good ALL the time”. So after 2 weeks of intense studio work, it was time for a little R&R to recharge the creative batteries. The Johnny Mercer Society presented their 2nd annual benefit at the Lucas Theatre and my classmate Dori and I took advantage of this wonderful event. For $25 we attended a fantastic concert of jazz, Big Band/swing, patriotic tunes and some Mercer standards and other show tunes. The 16-piece Equinox Jazz Orchestra, along with some talented vocalists, entertained for 2 hours. Also an amazing performance was given by jazz guitarist Buddy Lee Rodgers! When the concert ended, the musicians paraded out of the theater still playing and led the crowd the short 3 blocks down to the river where we had VIP reserved seats right on the river bank to view the fireworks.

Swinging on the Savannah RIver on the 4th of July

It would be a shame to live here in this beautiful city for 5 weeks and never see anything but the inside of the painting studio and the library, cool as they are for my purposes. Still I have another assignment due Monday for Graduate Drawing and my first critique in Formal Aspects of Painting tomorrow. So I worked every day, including the morning and afternoon of the 4th. But taking a break has it’s advantage in helping bring renewed energy to the work. Then I doubled up this past week and the present one anticipating taking 2 whole days off this weekend. I have the BIGGEST incentive of all: my “dahlin’ husband” is coming to visit me at this halfway point in my time here. I am working hard to be ready for all deadlines before and after his visit so I can enjoy some time to play with him and sight-see this weekend.

I will report on the school work next time and then share some more of the beautiful and historic sights and exciting activities of the Hostess City again after that.