By: Jeannette Pomeroy
When I learned that I had been selected as Maker-in-Residence at Ignite Studio, I was both honored and humbled. I discovered Ignite the first time I visited the library, and was amazed at what I saw. The studio is a tremendous community asset, and I hope to share it with as many people as possible.
I’ll talk about what we’ll be doing this month, but first would like to tell you a little about me. I moved to Fishers from South Florida (Wellington, to be exact) just under a year ago. Prior to that I spent seventeen years in Chicago. I have been an artist my entire life, but took up painting after my first child was born twenty-five years ago. I have loved to draw for as long as I can remember, and try to add to my sketchbook whenever I can. I have had the good fortune to study with some incredible artists, and learned a great deal from them about how to be a better artist and how to be an effective teacher.
My first teaching job was at IDEAL Elementary School in Florida, where I was the art teacher from 1998 to 2000. Both of my daughters were enrolled at the school. I also spent five summers as a faculty member at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Michigan, near Traverse City. At Interlochen I developed and implemented the Center’s Global Arts Program for the junior division.
That brings me to Ignite, and what you can expect from my time as Maker-in-Residence. Much of the programming that I developed for Interlochen will be included in my time here. Not only will we have fun making art, I will also try to make sure everyone understands and appreciates the origins of the art we’re creating.
In March, we’ll be making Mandalas, playing “art musical chairs,” and creating Somoan bark paintings. Mandalas are circular forms that are loads of fun to create, and there are many ways to create them. “Art Musical Chairs” is an activity where each participant will begin a painting while music plays, and move one over one spot when music stops, to begin painting their neighbor’s canvas when the music starts again. We’ll repeat this until each artist arrives back at the canvas they started with. The result will be a collection of collaborative masterpieces! We’ll also journey to Samoa to learn about and create intricate Bark Paintings, one of the oldest Samoan cultural art forms.
I will have open studio time throughout the residency, so feel free to stop in and observe and ask questions. I will be here through June 1st, with different art programming each month. I hope to meet you and that you will join me on this journey!
