Last chance to visit The Brain Food Lab
February 17th, 2012 by Rebecca
We continue to be impressed by how eager Museum of Contemporary Craft visitors have been to participate in The Brain Food Lab, a hands-on activity that we’re presenting on-site at the Museum in partnership with our friends at AIGA Portland.
Tomorrow from 2-4pm in The Lab will be your last opportunity to work directly with designers from the AIGA to make your very own contribution to our ProtoTown. Think creatively about what kind of transportation, structures, and community resources you’d like to see in a hypothetical city and then make a model of your vision out of recycled materials.
See below one of our favorite recent photos from the ProtoTown (notice the monorail! rocket ship! some kind of charming snail!), and then find a bunch of additional images here, shot and lovingly posted by Tina Snow Le, one of our partners on the Social Change Committee at AIGA Portland.
Once that’s done, come on down to MoCC to view their thought-provoking exhibition Studio H: Design. Build. Transform., and stop upstairs to realize your own ideas with ProtoTown.
Fine-tuning literacy (and much more!) at Woodlawn
February 16th, 2012 by Monica Hayes
EDITORS’ NOTE: We are pleased to introduce guest blogger Monica Hayes of the Oregon Symphony. For the past couple of months, Monica and several musicians and volunteers from the Symphony have been working at Woodlawn School in Northeast Portland with Pre-Kindergartners, Kindergartners and 1st graders in a dynamic residency that connected music to literacy, foreign language, and even a bit of science curriculum. Students deepened their understanding of character development, analogy, pattern, cause and effect, and developed their abilities to listen, ask questions, empathize and be a member of a community. All this was possible to accomplish in just a few dynamic sessions, due to full participation from classroom teachers, who build upon these experiences with additional instruction between sessions with the Symphony.
…There’s just too much to pack into one paragraph, so we’ll now let Monica break down what this looked like.
A Kindergartner at Woodlawn School creates soundthrough a French horn with the Oregon Symphony's principal French hornplayer John Cox. (Photo by Holly Renton)
When we arrived on January 31 at Woodlawn School to present our “Oregon Symphony Storytimes” introducing some brass instruments, we were whisked to the lower primary classrooms, to be greeted by smiling faces and eager eyes and ears. This was the second of three sessions we will spend with the students andstaff at that school.
As part of the Oregon Symphony residency, all 5 classes from Pre-K through first grade are attending the corresponding Kinderkonzerts at the Peninsula School venue after a musician visit and “Storytime” from each of the sections of the orchestra. The first session, in November, featured the woodwind family with Carin Miller Packwood, the Symphony’s principal bassoonist; and Karen Wagner on oboe. In April, they will prepare for the percussion Kinderkonzert, “A Treasure Trove of Tunes” through a final Storytime visit with percussionist Tom Sessa.
Oregon Symphony principal French horn playerJohn Cox used conventional and unconventional instruments to make sounds torepresent the individual characters in the book "Owl Babies," as volunteerLynne Buechler read aloud. (Photo by Holly Renton)
It was obvious that the teachers had been introducing their students to the instruments and the music of the brass family of the orchestra and the students were now experiencing these orchestral instruments for perhaps the very first time. These kids remembered our last visit and were so hungry to see and hear what we brought with us on this, our second visit, in preparation for the upcoming Brass Kinderkonzert. We noticed that they are very well prepared for our visits. Their teachers had been playing the CD we provided as a resource in preparation of Kinderkonzert performances. Tons of great books on all of the sections of the orchestra were made available to the teachers to use by the Right Brain planning team member and Pre-K teacher Aubrey Pagenstecher, through the Multnomah County Library’s outreach service.
John Cox (principal French horn) and reader Lynne Buechler took the Pre-K and Kindergarten classes through the evolution of the use of the French horn with some silly songs and sounds along the way. Lynne read three picture books as John played music to accompany each story. John used a variety of horn sounds, using a conch shell and a steer’s horn to depict the different personalities of the characters in the beloved picture book “Owl Babies.” The students learned that they can not only hear sound but they can also feel it. He demonstrated this by blowing through a mouthpiece, sending sound waves through a garden hose stretched to the length of the horn (which is way longer than you might think!). On the other end was a common plastic funnel. The students felt the vibrations as the sound traveled through the length of the hose. All of the students were invited to try out the French horn, some found it was harder than it looked. They learned that their mouth needs to be able to make a certain shape, or embouchure, to make a sound.
John Cox first made his “homemade horn’s” funnelinto a hat, before using it to send sound waves through a garden hose, allowingthe students to "feel sound." (Photo by Holly Renton)
Meanwhile, Steve Conrow (trumpeter) and myself as the reader were greeted by the first graders with familiar smiles and raised hands. They were ready with lots of questions about the trumpet …the most sincere one was, “How can I learn to play a trumpet?”
One of our picture books, “Ben’s Trumpet,” dealt with just that question: what do you do when you want to do something so badly, you can just imagine it? Luckily, Ben is ultimately mentored by a jazz trumpeter and given a real trumpet to learn on. We talked in class about how to let people know your passion and then follow up on all you need to do to travel that path to make your dream come true. Steve also showed how sound travels through the tubes of the trumpet and what effect using the different keys and valves has on that sound.
As we were leaving we were so happy to say, “See you next week at the Kinderkonzert!”
The students arrived early to the Brass Kinderkonzert “Royal Rumpus” on February 7 to be greeted by our Brass Quintet. It was so nice to see their anticipation for this second of three concert experiences. They all were ready to sing “La Bamba” in Spanish with narrator Amy Haroldson, and that was a blast. They were also introduced to each of the brass instruments in the quintet. Their similarities and differences were explored, a number of fun pieces of music were presented through a storyline and they learned how an audience member shows appreciation of a performance. They are really getting to know each of the sections of the orchestra up close and personal!
Monica Hayes is the Education & Community Engagement Program Director for the Oregon Symphony. Later this month, she and the Symphony’s principal percussionist, Niel DePonte will work with 6th graders at Woodlawn to compose their own “soundscapes” depicting Ancient Egypt, using found objects as instruments and heiroglyphics symbolizing the notes they will each play in their performance.
Attend our outreach volunteer training
February 15th, 2012 by Natalie
Volunteer Lynn Yarne engages families at Lincoln Street Elementary's Family Art Night in Hillsboro.
Are you interested in getting out into the community with The Right Brain Initiative? We depend on the help of incredible volunteers to conduct our outreach efforts, representing our program at street fairs, art gatherings, family arts nights at our partner schools, and much more!
If you are interested in getting started, or expanding your ability to serve as an outreach volunteer, please join us at one of two required volunteer training sessions in March. You’ll learn how you can engage the public and confidently converse about the many facets of Right Brain. And you’ll learn to succintly answer the question: “What IS The Right Brain Initiative?”
Right Brain Outreach Trainings
Thursday, March 1st: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
- or -
Tuesday, March 13th: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Regional Arts & Culture Council
411 NW Park Avenue, Suite 101
Portland, OR 97209
To attend the training:
- You must fill out the volunteer application prior to registration (and be sure to check the “Outreach” box under Areas of Interest).
- Then, RSVP to one of the trainings by sending a confirmation email to RightBrainOutreach@racc.org.
**If you are definitely unable to attend one of the two required training sessions listed, but still want to volunteer, please let us know!
Read Right Brain’s spread in The Hillsboro Argus!
February 14th, 2012 by Natalie
We were already aware of the excellent article written about our work in the January 27th Hillsboro Argus. But we’ve just now seen the print version, and we’re surprised, and completely excited, to see such big, colorful images accompanying the article on the front page of the Focus section.
In this article, read about how our program has developed in the four years since its inception, through the lens of two of our original partner schools. Read about the ways in which Right Brain differs from traditional arts programs, with testimonials from two Hillsboro School District principals and a teaching artist that attest to the effectiveness of our collaborative arts integration practices.
We couldn’t be more proud of the impact our partner educators and teaching artists have made through Right Brain programming in the past few years — and the fact that it’s visible on hallway walls in schools across the city!
Read the full article here.
Donating to Right Brain: make a habit of it, and soon!
February 8th, 2012 by Natalie
What bad habit did you resolve to relinquish in 2012? Whatever it was, we all know that the easiest way to kick an unwanted habit is to replace it with a good one. Here’s one idea…
After hearing the demand from the public, we’ve just made it easier than ever for you to make your contribution to the future imaginations of all Portland area K-8 students. Through our brand new Facebook Causes page, you can show your support by donating $10 or more to our arts integration programming in Portland’s public schools.
So how does this relate to the emptiness left in the wake of your New Year’s resolution, you ask? Giving through our Causes site is the SOLE way that you as a supporter can donate to Right Brain on a monthly basis without lifting a finger. Simply click on the site’s “Give” button, and you’ll receive the option to make either a one-time donation or an automatic monthly installment. A monthly donation to foster the creative capacities of K-8 students in our very own community? That’s a habit worth keeping, if you ask us!
BUT WAIT. It gets better: If we can raise $1,500 thorough our Causes site by February 29, First Independent Bank will generously match the donations! In other words, by just getting the ball rolling, you’ll end up doing double the work.
The first step is to follow us on Facebook if you aren’t already. From there, visit the Causes section of our page (find the link in the left hand column of the main page). Then, bingo! You can choose the amount that suits your fancy.
We hope you’ll consider this simplest of opportunities to give to Right Brain. And if you need to fan the flames of your giving spirit, make sure to check out the new images of classroom residencies from this school year while you’re on our Facebook page. That should do the trick.
Insects write books at Free Orchards
January 26th, 2012 by KendraYao
As our 31 partner schools return from winter break this month, Right Brain programming is moving at top speed. At Free Orchards Elementary in Hillsboro, teaching artist Addie Boswell is helping 3rd grade students imagine life from the perspective of an insect to create original, illustrated stories from their new vantage point.
Addie knows that by treating students as author/illustrators, they are excited and motivated to learn about story line and character development and improve their writing and drawing skills. At Free Orchards, classroom teachers used the information students studied in their life sciences unit as topics for their books, and helped with writing in between sessions with the artist.
Mrs. Rooke’s class of 3rd graders learned about several species of insects and created fact sheets about them. They then chose their favorite species and transformed their fact sheets into character bios. Students brainstormed details about diet, habitats, and personalities for their insects. Addie introduced the students to the bookmaking process. She talked about how authors and illustrators take “artistic license,” turning facts into fiction.
A student uses his thumbnail sketches to draft illustrations for his book. Photo by Holly Renton.
Addie read Diary of a Worm with the 3rd grade classes, and they discussed text layout and composition. Students then created a series of guided thumbnail sketches of their characters in different poses: close-ups, from all sides, and in a variety of movements. Now the fully-realized characters were ready to be placed in scenes.
Students examined other books to think about how stories unfold, both visually and with text. Photo by Holly Renton.
Students were then told to imagine the passage of a typical day in two to four “spreads” and create them in a dummy book. During this process, students had to decide which scenes in a day were important to illustrate and then how to visually depict them.
When the artist returned the next session, they shared their drafts with one another and went on to explore the idea of “the big spread,” a moment in the story line that would be scary, funny, or surprising, with a very dynamic composition. Partners shared their completed “big spread” compositions with one another decided how to make them better, later drawing their final version on watercolor paper.
Addie Boswell looks with a student at her use of negative space. Photo by Holly Renton.
When this was finished, the artist oriented students to the art of the book cover, examining sample book covers in the library so that they could better imagine their own cover design.
The next step in the bookmaking process involved students learning about color theory and use of a limited palette for their covers and pages. Addie showed them how to use pastels, crayons and vibrant New Zealand dyes to bring their drawings to life.
Finally, when books were complete with illustrations and text, students read their stories with classmates and learned to write positive reviews for one another. To complete their books, classmates wrote their reviews on the back covers of one another’s books.
Now Kelly Rooke’s 3rd graders have a large collection of books written by a very experienced assortment of insect species, revealing a peak into the world from a bug’s point of view, and a glimpse at how children grow their creativity and critical thinking.
See our full set of images for this Right Brain residency on Flickr.
Compound Gallery hosts a benefit for Right Brain!
January 23rd, 2012 by Natalie
Join us Thursday, February 2nd for the opening of “Deadstock,” a show of work by a truly impressive selection of local visual artists.* Good news for us, this show is also a benefit for The Right Brain Initiative! Curated by Jason Sturgill, ”Deadstock” will feature unseen and unsold work at Compound Gallery‘s unique downtown gallery space. Proceeds from the art sales will be donated to Right Brain’s work serving teachers, artists and students in Portland area K-8 public schools.
*Exhibiting artists: Amy Ruppel, APAK, Alan Rose, Bwana Spoons, Carson Ellis, Chris Johanson, Ryan Berkley, S. Britt, Kate Bingaman Burt, Phil Marden, Ashley Goldberg, and many more. Scroll down to see images of some of the incredible work that will be on view.
We are truly proud to be part of this project. Thank you to Jason and Compound for letting us tag along!
Compound Gallery | 107 NW 5th Ave. | February 2 – 26, 2012
Opening reception February 2, 2012 | 7-10pm
Show runs through February 26, 2012
map
Make your creative additions to the bustling city in The Brain Food Lab at MoCC!
January 20th, 2012 by Natalie
Visit The Brain Food Lab at the Museum of Contemporary Craft before February 18th! This photo, and all subsequent images, by Holly Renton.
Check out some of our favorite pictures, captured by intern Holly Renton, from the past few weeks at The Brain Food Lab, in action now and ready for your creative touch at the Museum of Contemporary Craft. We’ve invited visitors to use found materials to collectively create a prototype for an imaginary town—and we couldn’t be more excited to have more than 100 pieces contributed so far.
"People's Ferry Boat. Free transportation for everyone." Visitors can use their imaginations to conceive of everything from creative health services to alternative transportation methods in this interactive city-building exhibit.
Materials are provided by AIGA, but feel free to bring along your own found objects.
"This is a chicken house."
Farmer Fred's Flaming Fireworks Stand!
The Brain Food Lab is an interactive museum experience dreamed up by the ongoing partnership between Right Brain and AIGA Portland, and presented in concert with MoCC’s Studio H: Design. Build. Transform. exhibition. We invite you and your family to explore how design can lead you to think creatively and critically through the construction of a prototype for this fictional town which is changing, growing and improving with each new visitor throughout the course of the exhibition.
When you stop by, you also find take-away Brain Food cards with additional activities that you can try at home, or in the classroom, if you’re an educator. All these activities combine creative thinking with other disciplines to promote really rich learning.
AIGA designers are available to help you realize your imaginative design ideas.
Studio H: Design. Build. Transform. is a display of past work created by the students of Studio H, a program led by designers Emily Pilloton and Matthew Miller in rural Bertie County, North Carolina that teaches high-school students how conscientious design can promote positive community change.
Read more on our blog.
Read more at MoCC’s website.
Museum of Contemporary Craft | 724 Northwest Davis Street | 97209
** The Brain Food Lab is open during all Museum hours and participation is free with Museum admission. On alternating Saturdays from 2 to 4 pm through February 18,, you can collaborate with designers from the AIGA to create your addition to the town. The next AIGA session is this Saturday, January 21 from 2-4!**
See our calendar for the full set of dates.
Right Brain on Kink.fm!
January 15th, 2012 by Natalie
Don’t miss The Right Brain Initiative on 101.9 KINK.fm Sunday, January 29th! Tune in at 8:30 am to catch Program Manager Marna Stalcup and “Speaking Freely” show host Sheila Hamilton discuss what Right Brain’s collaborative arts integration programming looks like in the K-8 schools it serves, and why this program matters to our public school systems.
It’s official: you helped us bring the Give!Guide to a triumphant close!
January 10th, 2012 by Natalie
Whew! We can’t believe it’s over! In early November, we dove headlong into the Willamette Week Give!Guide campaign. For seven whole weeks, we drew relentlessly on our vibrant community to lend a hand to our vision of putting arts education at the hands of every single K-8 student in Portland. And on January 1st, we emerged to a truly inspiring sight:
188 donors had pledged their commitment to the future of arts education in this region by helping us to raise a grand total of $8,590! That’s 30% more than we raised through the Give!Guide in 2010, for the record. And if you’re a competitive type, you’ll be happy to know that 80 of those individuals bumped us up into the Top Ten organizations for donors under the age of 36 in the final stretch. We can expect to tack a $500 bonus onto our total from that triumph.
On behalf of Right Brain staff and teaching artists, K-8 teachers and students around the Portland area, THANK YOU for your support during this campaign! We are so excited to dedicate EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR raised directly to our work serving local teachers and artists through professional development, community engagement and creating imaginative learning experiences at new schools in 2012-13. We can’t believe how lucky we are to have such a committed community of arts education advocates on our side.
Speaking of luck … there was lots of it to go around in the form of enticing local incentives throughout the course of the campaign. From tickets to the Portland Art Museum to free wine tastings to Oregon Ducks-bedazzled keyboards, many of our donors were rewarded handsomely for their contributions. Congratulations to the following winners:
- Sarah C. won a $25 gift certificate to The Secret Society Lounge
- Gregg S. won a pair of tickets to the Portland Art Museum
- Libbi J. won four passes to the Portland Art Museum and four passes to the Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Kylee B. won tickets to the Portland Opera, Portland Baroque Orchestra and the Oregon Symphony
- Angela A. won two $20 gift cards to Veritable Quandary, monthly bread from Pearl Bakery and a free wine tasting at Bergstrom Wines in Newberg
- Sheryl H. won passes to the Nike, Adidas and Columbia Sportswear employee stores, as well as wireless keyboards decked out in honor of Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers
- Amber H. won a $20 gift certificate to I’ve Been Framed
And now for the five lucky recipients of the big-deal prizes from the final raffle…
- Bettie D. won dinner for two with wine pairings at Genoa, Portland’s legendary Italian restaurant
- Scott K. scored two tickets to see the Portland Timbers in the 2012 season
- Diane W. won two tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Rose Garden arena
- Ben M. and Jodi H. both won admission to our annual three-day Imagine This! seminar for arts educators
Winners all around! But we’d like to end this whirlwind by acknowledging the many non-monetary riches this campaign produced. Along the way, we heard moving testimonials of those who gave (one donor called Right Brain “the smartest, most collaborative, most comprehensive initiative for arts education that Portland has ever seen”). We attracted out-of-town donors who tapped into our message and felt compelled to give despite their physical distance from us. And we generated quantifiable proof that we live in a community that is unwilling to see the arts fall from the menu of public school curriculum. Here’s to a new year full of healthy, happy right brains.
Another huge thank you from The Right Brain Initiative!