An
Open Artists’ Discussion on Creation, Technique, Embracing Change, and an International
Conference Experience
Briefly, tell me a little bit about
yourself as an educator and artist?
As a retired educator of English and Humanities and a presenter
of professional development sessions with fellow educators, incorporating an
interdisciplinary approach made it possible to reach most of my students’ who
had multiple ways of learning. The
National Board Certification enabled me to examine and to validate why teaching
was my calling. Writing my own multi-and interdisciplinary textbook,
CONNECTIONS, also allowed me to be honored as a Carnegie Scholar and
Fellow. For the last sixty years, I have
lived in Washington, DC, and my hobbies are reading, writing, photography, and
traveling to writing workshops and enjoying street rods/classic cars. As a recent widow, I am learning a “new
normal” way of living.
It was a pleasure meeting you and other Gallery artists at
the International Conference in Phoenix, AZ this summer. Tell us a little about
your experience. Were you a newbie? Why did you travel so far to be a part of
this gathering of exceptional DKG members?
The
Delta Kappa Gamma International Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
Dr.
Barbara D. Parks-Lee, Alpha Chapter
The experiences I have gained by attending conferences
are valuable ways to learn and to share.
This past July, the conference in Phoenix, Arizona, offered me the
opportunity to meet with DKG sisters in a setting very different from the
lushness of the East Coast, for Phoenix was desert, hot 119–120-degree,
desert! The flora and fauna were
different, and the colors reflected sand, and cactus greens, and breathtakingly
beautiful skies and sunsets.
The Sheridan Hotel at Wild Horse Pass is located on a
Native American reservation. Its
split-level construction is such that the land is respected. The hand-decorated, dome-shaped main lobby
entrance that reflects scenes of Native American life is on the third level,
and conference rooms and hotel rooms are located on second and first levels
that best reflect the land configurations.
A little stream runs through the first level, and petroglyphs grace
rocks in the lobby. Outside, cacti
bloom, native trees beckon, and birds offer concerts for those who wake early
and listen. Soft flute music by Nakai was a calming, yet unobtrusive, mediation
throughout the hotel. Everywhere I went, I was advised to drink water, to stay
hydrated, and I drank more water there than I would normally drink in a month.
I did not try to attend every presentation as I had in
the past, but the ones I did attend were informative and valuable. Phoenix was a place for me to rest, to
grieve—as well as a place to heal, after the death of my husband, Willie, in
April.
The presentations I appreciated dealt with self-care,
making connections, combining art and science, and the session with the Delta
Kappa Gamma editors, Dr. Charlotte Lindgren, Dr, Dorria J. Powell, Dr. Kammie
Richter, and Dr. Judith R. Merz. The keynote session’s theme was Moving Forward
with Vitality, Relevance, and Sustainability, and the keynote speaker, Alona
Kladieva, reminded us to “never forget where you’ve been.”
The field trip to the Native American Museum was
informative, beautiful architecturally with its emphasis on the strength of the
triangle in its ceiling, and an artistic experience emphasizing the talents and
contributions of Native Americans.
Everyone seemed excited about the upcoming conference
that will meet at National Harbor next year, and I am excited about
reconnecting with many I met in Phoenix.
Phoenix was a conference unlike others I have attended, and I am
grateful to have experienced new people, a different culture, different foods,
and a contrasting climate’s beauty.
Your recent entry
to the Gallery is titled ‘My Hero'. This written
piece touched my heart and made me think back in time as my grandfather was
also a WWI veteran…gentleman of a certain time when a man, “never wore his hat
in a building” and would “sneak a kiss from their beloved wife”. What made you
create such an inspiring memory?
My grandfather,
James Isham Evans, believed I was smart and that I could be and do anything,
and I believed him. I wanted never to
disappoint him by not doing my best, and his believing in me has been a
lifelong encouragement, even long after his death when I was in the first grade
so many years ago.
Your second entry, "'Technobabe’s' Tears" also resonated within me, as again, teaching in a certain
age in education, when we were expected to master a computer in a world of
chalk and mimeographs. What made you think of this at this point in your
journey?
My fountain pen
has always been what I felt most comfortable using, but when I was confronted
with computer technology as a Carnegie Scholar, I was terrified! I did not even know how to turn the computer
on and off, and I cried out of frustration when my learning curve morphed from
my comfortable use of a fountain pen, dittoed lessons, and mimeographed
corrections to learning new “tekkie” skills in a new environment with others
who were technologically advanced. I was
given the ironic nickname of “Technobabe” by Ted Nellen, whose New York English
classroom was entirely paperless—something I could not even imagine, coming
from a school where the only computer was in the main office. I had the choice of whether my chalk would be
white, yellow, or whatever color I purchased for my classroom.
Do you create only
in the written word, or do you venture into the visual arts?
I not only write poetry,
short stories, a children’s book, a textbook, and a novel but also, I paint,
enjoy photography, and am trying to learn to use mixed media with calligraphy.
What
does the value of Creative Arts in Education mean to you?
There is no way creative arts can—or should
be—separated from education! Everything
from connections to how we exist has been touched in some way by creative
arts. Design, color, nature,
innovations, and anything that can be perceived by the five senses connects to
the creative arts. Creative Arts in
Education make education meaningful, endurable, and provide the road to better
for all of us.
What is the best piece of artistic advice
you’ve been given?
The best piece of advice was to compete only with
myself and to be ever ready to learn something different.
Have you entered your work in other
venues?
I have shared my work with The Green Mountain Writers
in Vermont, the National Council Teachers of English Journal, and worked with
two anthologies published by my church.
Any parting thoughts/Insights?
Being able to experience new people, new ideas, new
cultures, and to be able to share with women educators is a life-affirming
adventure. I only wish more people could
reach out without fear of change.
Let’s keep the
conversation going with the Arts & Humanities blog.
The Jury Committee is
looking forward to our upcoming Fall Gallery Submissions. We want to hear from you and welcome your
ideas and suggestions.
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