The messages on this listserv reflect a true partnership process between the project museums and teacher participants, as represented by these example messages:

Listserv Message: (1999)

Hi Stuart! Just a quick note to thank you for all the work you have done

on the Torn Notebook. I introduced the sculpture to my students last

week and they were so excited about all the symbolism. Then, as we were

talking, we realized it was a great connection to our science unit on

the cranes and geese - since the "flying pages" stand for Nebraska's

migrating birds! We'll study it in more detail during our science

research on the birds. Have a great week! jan

Listserv Message: (1999)

Hi, I was able to attend a session at the Sheldon on posters last week

that was terrific. Jan Villotta and I are ready to start the Oregon Trail unit that

we put together last year. Thought we could tie in the idea of the

propaganda posters used to lure people to Oregon.

Does anyone know where we could get sample propaganda posters to

show the kids--or information about the posters used during the 1850's?

Any info would be helpful!!

Thanks. Brenda Krings

Listserv Message: (1998)

I have just posted the teacher packet for the Charles Burchfield Collection. There are some interesting sections on history, literature, science and politics in relationship to his work that are worthy of perusal.

Listserv Message: (1997)

Hi! My name is Erin and I am a docent at the NMAA. I did not find more on the story about Zeldis painting "Miss Liberty Celebration" while she was recovering from cancer but I did find background information that talks about the way in which she liked to use her experiences and particularly her childish recall as ideas for her paintings. In a painting called "Cherry Picking" she paints life as it "should have been" she says. Children are gobbling down fallen fruit without fear of punishment for gluttony or thievery. She uses lots of red and gay colors. In two other paintings called "Miss America" and "Beauty and the Beast" painted in l972 and 1973, her paintbrush becomes a magic wand that makes HER the Miss American and the princess in "Beauty and the Beast." Zeldis's family was often on welfare in the post-depression years of Detroit but she has said that she felt very secure and surrounded by the love of her parents, grandparents and relatives. Her many trips to the Detroit Institute of Art with her parents influenced her love of art and of symbolism and narrative in painting. 16th Century Flemish paintings shown at the Institute are filled with symbolism and narrative. In "Celebration" one of the figures represented-- along with Elvis --is her patron, Herbert Hemphill, who introduced Zeldis' work to the public. The convention of including the patron in the painting was used by Flemish painters.

 

Malcah Zeldis shows how important childhood memories and trips to museums are even when you are no longer a child but a grownup looking for ideas for paintings.

 

Hope to talk to you soon! Erin