The process of putting together a capstone proposal is invigorating as well as trying and tiring.  It will pay off at the end of this road; however, I do not see the singular research project as a destination.  I see it as the beginning of more work just like it yet to come.  It is a quality professional experience the encourages personal growth both in the present and for the future.  I am a lifelong learner.

Regularly visiting and updating my professional website always reinvigorates me--my personal as well as profession perspectives on things.  First, reviewing the work I've done over the last few years motivates me to keep moving forward and gives me a strong foundation upon which to build.  Growth comes with consistent effort and experience.  Second, seeing my best professional work in one collective site keeps my professional mission and goals in the forefront of whatever I do, guiding my decisions and actions yet to come.

If you do not have a professional online presence already established, I emphatically recommend starting now with building that presence.  Doing so is a personal and professional benefit both to yourself and to those you have yet to encounter.  Proclaim to others who you are and where you are heading in your future, then keep revisiting your site to remind yourself of this same thing.

The treasurer of the Rapids Theatre Restoration Board, Norma Jansma, called me today asking for my help in getting the Rapids Theatre on the State Register of Historic Places.

In my original report I stated that the committee was trying to get on the National Register of Historic Places, which Jansma claimed may still be accurate.   Now, however, the board would like my assistance in applying for the State Register.

I will begin my work on this new project as soon as the board verifies accuracy of my initial case study research.  Once this research is approved by the board, I will use it in the State Register application process.

Thank you Rapids Theater committee.  I am honored to do what I can to help this long-time treasure be restored and remembered by many.

I got an email today informing me I have been selected as one of the participants in the Model Cornerstone Assessment benchmarking project being conducted by NAEA and NCCAS.  It is a pilot project partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.  

This pilot project is intended to produce benchmark student work that aligns with the MCAs.  Upon completion of this project, NAEA and NCCAS will provide art educators with benchmark examples of student artwork to use in developing assessment accuracy and consistency.

Below is the press release provided by the MCA project team.  Of the 260 districts to apply, I am one of only 15 - 18 pilot sites to have been chosen for participation in the visual arts division.  Follow the project website for progress of this program: http://nccas.wikispaces.com.

Press release article provided by NCCAS and NAEA, 2015

Take a look at this Artist PLC program proposal.  I put this program together for the purposes of encouraging continued art making and reaping the benefits of a strong collaborative art community.

This Artist PLC will bring together diverse creative and artistic people from the area.  It will be organized as a professional development PLC in which participants will grow personally and professionally.

The potential benefits of establishing this program are the strengthening of the artist community and the individual artists themselves.  This growth comes from collective energies and a unified mission of the proposed group.  These benefits are supported by research from DuFour (1998 & 2014), Foord & Haar (2008 & 2012) and Gillies (2007). 

Artist PLC narrated presentation, 2014

Just finished my first case study today.  Well, it was my first intentional, purposeful case study.  One of the most important things I learned in doing the fieldwork and documentation of my case study is that site-based learning is one of the most perfectly matched activities to my interests and preferred learning styles.

This initial assignment activity has become a personal mission.  I am fully committed to continuing my dedication to the Rapids Theatre Restoration project.  First, I will further develop my research and documentation of the past, present, and future work associated with the restoration.  Also, I will volunteer in traditional avenues such as hands-on labor when tasks arise and in specialty avenues such as designing education materials to help promote the program.

Follow this link to the ISSUU publication, Rapids Theatre Restoration Project:  A Case Study, to see images of the building in various stages of progress and to read a summary of the project to date.

ISSUU.com Publication of Rapids Theatre Restoration Project Book, 2014

The week of summer studio, 2014 was the best studio course I've ever had; it's the only graduate studio class I've ever had, and it exceeded my physical, cognitive, and emotional expectations.  Additionally, the online preparatory work was outstanding, fun, and extremely helpful.  

I took Experimental Drawing and explored a number of drawing ideas:  collaborative art making, book making, performance drawing, partially uncontrollable drawing tools, collage, image transfer techniques, critique and reflection strategies, and diverse media (new, odd, and familiar). 

All of this drawing experimentation encouraged the relinquishing of strict adherence to preciousness as well as the developing of a comfort with unrequited expectations.  Scratching at ideas proved to be a priceless activity with immeasurable rewards in motivation, freedom, and inspiration.