From the Principals

Bluegrass

Letter from Marilynn Cunningham

Dear parents, guardians and grandparents,

Whew! We had a wonderful year of celebrating our 20th year at SCAPA. Thanks to your parent organization, FOAS or Friends, and the leadership of Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman, your facilitator, during winter break, we had a wonderful party and ceremony with our alumni to celebrate our 20^th anniversary.

I am thrilled that SCAPA will begin its 21st year in August, 2008! Personally, I am doubly thrilled to be your principal! When it comes to your child and the experience your child is having at SCAPA Bluegrass., I trust that you will consider me your “principle pal.” Hopefully you will find that I am motivated by standards and principles as well as love. Because I do not have an art area, I consider my art the “art of loving.” I want to joyfully serve as your leader! By serving, I mean: get to know you, respond to your educational needs, learn to relate to you and earn your respect and trust.

Professionally, I want to lead a learning community. The literature calls it a PLC, Professional Learning Community. For us to be a community, our work will be focused on students and their learning. “It’s All About Kids,” our district says. At SCAPA, we keep the Arts in our Hearts—Appreciation, Respect, Teamwork and Self-Discipline. The focus this year is teamwork—how can we best function together.

The first step in working together is communication—knowing what we need and what you have to offer. Or vice versa, knowing what we have to offer and knowing what you need. In order to do this, there are many ways for you to become involved. Regularly check the www.scapa.fcps.net for periodic requests for involvement.

Several needs the school has at this time are: volunteers to greet visitors at the front door (email barbara.talbert@fayette.kyschools.us), homeroom volunteers (email homeroom teachers), artistic volunteers (email art teacher), orientation seminar -- before school starts fill-out-the-form day (email sylvia.aldrich@fayette.kyschools.us) and SBDM committees—budget and finance committee (email marilynn.cunningham@fayette.kyschools.us) , professional development committee (email sherrie.graham-green@fayette.kyschools.us) , climate and culture committee elizabeth.sergent@fayette.kyschools.us , curriculum and instruction committee (email carla.pleasant@fayette.kyschools.us) and technology committee (email pam.draper@fayette.kyschools.us).

The Friends of the Arts parent organization has several areas you may sign up to get involved. For more information about this, email SCAPA’s Arts Facilitator carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us. To make sure your family is included in the student directory, turn in your information sheet.

I am looking forward to another great year! With your involvement, we will have one! You are essential to our community!

Sincerely,

Marilynn Cunningham

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Lafayette

Letter from Vicki Ritchie (New LHS Principal)

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of SCAPA at Lafayette,

As the incoming principal of Lafayette High School, I am thrilled to be able to say hello to you in the first electronic issue of your Friends of the Arts School newsletter. I am a former math teacher from Bryan Station and Henry Clay and most recently, an associate principal at Dunbar High School.

The director of SCAPA at Lafayette, Ms. Pleasant, and several of the teachers met with me in June to fill me in on the SCAPA calendar of events and their individual programs. Their enthusiasm and love for their school was evident as we discussed their plans for the students in the 2008-2009 school year.

I look forward to working with the SCAPA community as an integral part of the Lafayette school community. I am already anticipating all of the wonderful projects that will be created by SCAPA students this fall. With your support, I know that our students will have another phenomenally successful year.

Sincerely,

Vicki Ritchie

Calendar of Upcoming Events

(Please check the SCAPA website, www.scapa.fcps.net, regularly for updates)

• Friday, July 4, 11:30am, Meet in Lexington Herald-Leader Parking Lot for 4th of July Parade, Parade begins at 2:00pm

• Tuesday, July 15, 6pm SBDM Meeting, Bluegrass SCAPA Conference Room

• Tuesday, July 15, 6pm, Friends of the Arts School (FOAS) Meeting, Bluegrass SCAPA Creative Writing Lab

• Sunday, August 10, 2-5pm, 4th Grade Ice Cream Social, Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)

• Monday, August 11, 5:30-5:55pm, New Bluegrass student/parent orientation, MPR

• Monday, August 11, 6-7:30pm, New 6th grade students/parents, MPR

• Monday, August 11, 7-9pm, Lafayette SCAPA Back to School Reception, Lafayette cafeteria

• Wednesday, August 13, First Day of Classes

• Sunday, August 17, 2-5pm, Bluegrass SCAPA Back to School Picinic, Bluegrass SCAPA

• Monday, August 18, Kick off for Innisbrook

• Friday, August 22, No School for Kids

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Announcements and Reminders

Fourth of July Parade

SCAPA to March in Lexington’s 4th of July Parade

Don’t just stand and watch the parade pass you by! Come and march with us as we represent SCAPA in the 4th of July Parade. Here is what you need to do. Have your student dress in a way that represents his/her major at SCAPA and/or carry something that represents their major. If they are a drama major and want to dress as a character from one of the plays we have done or are going to do, that is fine (we will be doing Willy Wonka, Jr. in the fall and Fiddler on the Roof in the spring). Other majors might dress in SCAPAwear and carry their instrument, a favorite book or creative writing piece, a favorite work of art (either theirs or that of a favorite artist), a piece of music (for piano or vocal major) or their instrument for band and strings majors. I am sure your students will come up with more creative ideas than I can.

We need to meet in the Lexington Herald-Leader parking lot at the corner of Midland and Main by 11:30am as I have to have parents sign a waiver for their children which must be turned in at noon. The streets will be closed so you need to park somewhere and then walk over. I know this seems early for a 2:00pm parade, but they assure me there will be booths and activities as well as food and drinks set up on Midland that you can explore while we wait to line up. When I check us in at Noon we will find out our position in the parade. I need parents to go along with us (please also dress in SCAPAwear if you can) and I will ask a couple of you to carry the banner.

We will be passing out handbills with the 2008-09 Production Schedule on them printed on red, white and blue paper. If anyone has the CD of the music from the original Willy Wonka movie with Gene Wilder and a portable CD player that we could carry along with us, that would be great! Or perhaps we can sing the Candy Man as we march. I am open to any and all ideas as this is my first time with the parade.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me, Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman at 273-5218 (H) or 536-1313(C). I hope to see you on the 4th.

Don't forget the Lexington Philharmonic/Lexington Singers’s FREE Patriotic Concert on the grounds of Transylvania at 8:00pm, July 3rd.

Production Season

Arboretum Birdhouse Project

Encourage your artistic kids to create a one of a kind birdhouse for the Arboretum Birdhouse Display and Auction in August. Visit the Arboretum or their website, www.ca.uky.edu/Arboretum, for more information and a registration form. Be sure to make a note that your submission is from a SCAPA student.

Summer Library Hours

The Bluegrass library will be open each Wednesday morning from June 18 until August 6 from 10-12. Students may take ar tests, check out books, etc.

SCAPA Reunion

The 21st Anniversary Reunion will take place on Saturday, December 27, 2008 from 7-10pm in the Multipurpose Room at SCAPA Bluegrass. Mark your calendars! For more information about how you can help with this event contact Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman @ carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us or 273-5218

Silent Auction

Help Needed The SCAPA silent auction is scheduled for August 17th. That's just 4 days after the start of school!! Silent auction donations are needed. We are looking for any type of donation. Examples are: Handmade items, babysitting, books, kitchen appliances (toaster, skillet, crock-pot, etc), a gift certificate from someone you may know that owns their own business or your favorite restaurant; (Starbucks, Red Lobster, Rafferty’s, Gattitown, etc). Volunteers are also needed to help set-up tables and work the auction. Deadline to donate items is August 16th. If you can help with a donation(s) or assisting with the auction, please contact Terri McGraw at 621-3285 or by e-mail at tmcgraw@insightbb.com.

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FOAS Board Officers and Representatives

Executive Board

SCAPA Bluegrass Representatives

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Volunteer Opportunities

Information to come...

Recent Events

SCAPA Senior Graduation

Senior Performances and Speechs

Senior Plans

5th Grade Washington Trip

The week- long excursion, June 9th - 14th, included stops in Charlottesville,  Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, and Mt. Vernon, Virginia as well as Washington, D.C.  The students visited many historic sites and learned much on their journey.  As the bus caught its first glimpses of the DC landmarks in the distance, the students broke into spontaneous shouts of joy and applause.  This excitement and pride in being citizens of the United States of America brought goosebumps, smiles, and tears of joy to the adults on the bus.  This simple serendipitous response by the students made the trip quite rewarding and memorable.

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Academic News

Elementary

Middle School

Nine 8th grade students won a national award in the Lexus Environmental Challenge (and a $3000 prize) for a climate challenge project they submitted in January. The students are Beth Bollinger, Ben Rogers, Brodie Craig, Annie Wang, Alex DeMoll, Stella Sharpe, Jamie Harvener, Monet Proctor, and Kana Oida.

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Arts News

Bluegrass

As an incoming fourth grade parent, you will be inundated with information the first couple weeks of school. Here, we will try to provide an overview of some basic information about the various majors and general classes your child will be taking.

ART: Love ART?

You’ll Love Mr. Love! If you remember art class as being about making ceramic mugs for Mother’s Day, you’re in store for a treat! Mr. Love delves into the finer points of fine art with both majors and generals, discussing terms and elements tied to drawing, design and color. Springtime will find kids elbow-deep in clay! Fifth grade majors can expect to jump into 2- and 3- dimensional projects after starting out with a drawing emphasis.

The refrigerator won’t be the only venue for students’ work. SCAPA is part of two Public Art Lease exhibits each year…dates to be announced…where local businesses can “lease” students’ work to hang in their stores and offices around town!

We bid farewell to our second art teacher this fall…Mrs. Sebastian will not be back. Therefore, Mr. Love will be teaching all the students. There will also be a student teacher in class to help out.

IMAGINE..............LOVE ART

BALLET: Getting to the POINT

Ballet majors and minors will experience more than just dance instruction from Mrs. Bingham. In addition to getting a solid technical base in classical ballet, students will learn from guest artists, and experience other styles of dance as well-learning about movement and body alignment to improve strength and flexibility. They will also learn about improvisation in dance as well as choreography.

There are many performance opportunities for ballet majors and minors. Beginning in August and September, students may choose to participate in Museum-Go-Round. If they would like to participate, they will rehearse during class. Dance SCAPA is in February. This is required, and there will be rehearsals four weeks leading up to the performance.

In May, ballet students will participate in the Informance. This is also required, and involves four weeks of rehearsals before the show.

In addition, community organizations contact SCAPA to request performances throughout the year. Last year, for example, we performed at the African American Ball and the Art Exhibit at the Bodley-Bullock House. These performances are not required.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?

Mrs. Bingham says she loves finding out more about her students. She would love to support kids or families who are facing special circumstances or challenges, so she encourages open communication with her. Mrs. Bingham also is a big believer in the student agenda (a notebook obtained at the beginning of the year where students will keep track of their assignments and communicate with teachers). Each Monday, she will write the week’s schedule on the board for students to copy in their agendas…so be on the lookout for that information, and if you don’t find it, encourage your child to copy it down.

A BIT ABOUT MRS. BINGHAM

Mrs. Bingham has taught ballet at SCAPA since the school’s second year: 1998. She has been involved with ballet since she was a child. She performed with the company of Birmingham Civic Ballet (now Alabama Ballet), and with the Lexington Ballet Company. She is married with two sons and five grandchildren, all of whom are involved in the arts.

Creative Writing: The WRITE Stuff

Ms. Carnes says Creative Writing majors should keep a journal of writing ideas. When you have an idea for a story, write it down! Also important are the “three R’s:” Read! Read! Read! Something to keep in mind is that Creative Writing minors who write longer pieces get to share them on Fridays and have the day named after them.

When you walk down the main hall past the office at SCAPA, you may notice the Word Wall! Ms. Carnes says, right off the bat, “We’ll jump into the deep end of the alphabet pool and pull out some words. If enough of those float together, buoy what a story we’ll have to share.”

Parents can help keep their budding authors on the “write” track by buying them a USB flash drive and putting their name on it, They can save their writing assignments on this handy device and pull them up to work on them on any computer at home or at school.

Contemporary Dance: The spirit of the DANCE

Mrs. Stephenson puts her best foot forward teaching contemporary dance majors, minors and generals. She says majors and minors should always have their dance clothes and a positive attitude! Be ready to work hard on your technique, and to have fun as a member of a team. General dance students don’t need specific dancewear, but should wear something comfortable that allows free movement on the day you have dance class (i.e. girls: no skirts on dance day).

Dance majors and minors have performance opportunities throughout the year: Dance SCAPA in February, and the Dance Informance in May. However, we get requests to perform throughout the year, so stay tuned for more info as it becomes available!

WHAT ABOUT PARENT INVOLVEMENT?

If you like to communicate by email, please send me your email address (rebecca.stephenson@fayette.kyschools.us). I will have a class email list, and will send all important info to you, just in case you don’t get that hard copy I sent home with your son or daughter! I am working on a website too, but it is not up yet. When we do have shows, please volunteer to help if you have the time – we can always use a few extra helping hands for our performances!

ABOUT MRS. STEPHENSON

My husband’s name is Barry and we like to travel together and ride bikes and hike. I have a beautiful fluffy Maine Coon cat named Raja, which means King. I love to travel in the summer – and I always travel somewhere to participate in a Dance Workshop. This summer I am going to the American Dance Festival in Durham NC, it is a very well known and international event! Dancers come to take part in it from all over the world, and famous dance companies perform every night. I will tell you all about it this fall!

BAND: Strike up the BAND

Whether you’re a Band major or minor, or you choose to take up an instrument a few times a week as a general band student, here is some information that will help get you started on the right note!

WHAT DO I NEED BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS?

Check out the updated supply list on the SCAPA website, here you will also find curriculum requirements for majors, minors and general band students here.

WHAT HAPPENS RIGHT AWAY?

There are no performances the first month of school. You will receive some papers to sign and return. If you are an incoming 4th grader, and not a band major, you will have the option of joining the general band, which meets three days per week, during school. Mrs. Barker will evaluate your suitability to certain instruments, and you may also make requests as to what instrument you’d like to play. You will obtain an instrument, either your own, or rented, and buy a practice book and cleaning supplies at a local music shop. Concerts require black pants and shoes and white dress shirt. Mrs. Barker will give you a practice sheet to keep track of home practice (15 minutes/day, 5 days/week for generals, more for majors, plus private lessons).

WHAT ABOUT PARENT INVOLVEMENT?

Sign practice reports weekly and encourage regular practice. Make sure students have music and instrument on days there is band class.

A LITTLE ABOUT MRS. BARKER I love teaching and I love the kids. I am going into my 23rd year of teaching and my 7th year at SCAPA. I am married with three kids. I play flute in two community bands, and sing in the choir at Victory Baptist Church, where my family and I are active members.

Drama: Dramatic twists and turns at SCAPA

A Labrillazo by any other name would…be Ms. Lab! Ms. Labrillazo (Ms. Lab to the kids) teaches the 4th and 5th grade drama majors and generals. Ms. Lab has been teaching since 1991, has directed over 50 plays, and has stage-managed 70 musicals/plays in the region.

Before school begins, majors should get an “all black outfit,” right down to the socks! Also, pick up a theatrical makeup kit at Off Broadway Costumes on Moore Dr.

Incoming Drama majors are offered several performance opportunities during the school year. Fourth and fifth graders are not allowed to audition for shows. All 4th and 5th grade students (majors AND generals) are invited to participate in the fall musical (Willy Wonka, Jr. this year!), which is performed at the Opera House over several dates. Kids will perform in one school-day show (schools from around Lexington come to the Opera House on a field trip to see the show) and one evening performance.

In class, majors and generals memorize Shakespeare sonnets and learn the technical aspects of drama, as well as play improv games and do other acting exercises. In addition, 4th and 5th grade drama majors do performances of Books Alive, which they perform for SCAPA students during lunch, in the cafeteria, and also may be taken on the road to other schools around town, as well as to the Central Public Library for an end-of-the-year Informance.

Piano: The KEYS to Success as a Piano Major

If you have a great attitude, lots of energy and motivation….and the willingness to take notes, you’ll excel in Mr. Gillespie’s piano class.

Mr. Gillespie likes his piano majors to find a regular time to practice each day. He also values the “Mozart attitude:” Know and experience music all around you.

OUTSIDE OPPORTUNITIES Piano majors give one concert, in the Spring, each year. You can check out last year’s performance currently airing on Cable Channel 13!

Strings: RESINate for many SCAPA students

Mrs. Campbell wants fear off the table in her classroom. She says kids shouldn’t be afraid if they don’t read music very well. They will learn to read music during class. Mrs. Campbell also says attitude goes a long way. Kids who have a positive attitude about practicing at home will excel. Parents should help their kids find a good time of day to practice and the right environment to practice in. That may be different for every child.

If your child isn’t an Orchestra major he or she can still join the strings section. General band kids meet three times each week and participate in the same Winter and Spring concerts as the majors do. Look for a note to come home in your child’s backpack the first week of school. Mrs. Campbell will then help “fit” children to the “right” instrument during the second and third weeks of school. She says it’s extremely important to find the instrument that speaks to the student’s heart. Mrs. Campbell says if children choose the right instrument, they’ll be more likely to practice it!

OUTSIDE OPPORTUNITIES

Band major and generals will participate in two big concerts: one in the Winter and one in the Spring. Kids will need black pants or skirts and white tops, with black shoes for these concerts.

Mrs. Campbell encourages kids to get involved with the Central KY Youth Orchestra for strings and band. If you want to audition for the preparatory group, tryouts are Saturday, August 16th …Visit www.ckyo.org for more information on this.

Vocal Music: Lift up your voice and SING!

Besides regular classes, there are several other requirements of Vocal Music students throughout the year. Mrs. Fields leads the kids in a Winter and a Spring concert, involving all of the 4th and 5th graders (majors and generals). Middle School majors and minors also take part in these shows.

In March, we go to Assessment (Contest) during the school day. The kids will have practiced diligently for this assessment, where students from all over Fayette County are tested on their singing ability.

For all these performances, kids will need to have black dress pants or skirt, black shoes, a white tuxedo shirt, black cumberbund and bow tie. The shirt, cumberbund and bow tie may be purchased at Brides & Mr. Tuxedo on Southland Dr. for $15 by mentioning SCAPA.

Beginning in the Fall, the 4th and 5th grade majors will present a number of programs throughout the community. They will be singing the Music of Stephen Collins Foster.

Lafayette

Look for LHS Arts news to appear in this area in future newsletters...

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Club and Team News

Academic Challenge Team: the SCAPA Cheetahs!

Are you up to the CHALLENGE?

It’s survival of the FASTEST on the Academic Challenge team! Academic Challenge is a fun way to learn, meet new friends and also compete for college scholarships! Any 4th or 5th grader may join. The kids choose to come to one of a couple of different practice times, after school, for about an hour each week. They will receive handouts of material based on the 4th and 5th grade core curriculum, which they may study at home.

Scholarships are on the line for the winners of several inter-school tournaments, which take place on certain Saturdays during the school year. Kids are split into groups of 4-6 contestants, who then compete, three schools per round, in a question-and-answer style contest. The question material comes from the 4th and 5th grade core curriculum. The team comes to a consensus on questions asked by a moderator. One team member then writes the group’s answer on a “write on/wipe off” board. There are also opportunities for individual competition in writing contests, and for 5th graders only: a math/science competition. Thirty students for Fayette County won college scholarship money from the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, Murray State University, Morehead State University, Kentucky State University, Georgetown College and KCTCS last year! SCAPA was proud of 4th grader, Taylor Bagley, who won a 4-year scholarship to KSU for his essay contest win! Fourth grader Megan Leiter was first runner up for the same scholarship. 

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

A form will be sent home in the backpacks and contact information will be posted on SCAPA's website.  This will probably get rolling in late September or early October.

WHAT ABOUT PARENT INVOLVEMENT?

This year we observed that parents made a huge difference.  Students not only behave better and focus more with a good adult to child ratio, but each child clearly showed great excitement to have his or her parent(s) involved.  It is a great way for parents to meet their child's school friends.  Any parent can attend all or part of the practices and read questions, coach a team, offer suggestions, or help teach the material.  Parents can send snacks, paper and pencil supplies, and ideas.

Speech Team

Got something to say? Speech Team may be for you! Speech team seems like the perfect activity for many of our SCAPA kids! There are many categories to choose from…both formal and dramatic. Mrs. Beth Randolp and Ms. Debbie Dean head up the team, which is made up of kids in grades 6-8. Tryouts take place early in the year, so watch this newsletter, and your child’s backpack, for more information. You may also email Mrs. Randolph at beth.randolph@fayette.kyschools.us.

OUTSIDE INVOLVEMENT

Speech team member practice three times per week after school, and participate in several Saturday tournaments throughout the year, where they compete against kids from other schools.

Dear Prospective Speech Team Members,

Auditions for the 2008-2009 team will be held the third or fourth week of school. Information regarding exact dates will be sent home the first week. If you plan on trying-out for a category that is not improvisational, then you need to have a piece ready to perform (or at least two minutes of it). A brief listing of the junior categories is given below. If you have any questions, I will be happy to try and answer them before your audition. Remember that improvisational categories may seem the easiest because direct evidence of practice is not as apparent. However, these categories are some of the most difficult because more people try-out for them at audition time and these categories leave more to chance than if you have a piece prepared ahead of time. The best advice we can give you for the audition is to be prepared with what you have to show your panel of audition judges. We’re looking forward to seeing you at auditions.

Sincerely,

Ms. Randolph & Ms. Dean Room 232

Chess Team

Meet new Mates in Chess Club! You’ll be Kings and Queens of the game if you spend your Wednesday afternoons at Chess Club! Dr Edward DeMoll and Kathy Coyer head up the club. Anyone in 4-8 grade may join.

OUTSIDE OPPORTUNITIES

There are several tournaments throughout the year. They are optional, and on Saturdays. If you want to participate in these tournaments you must let Dr. DeMoll or Mrs. Coyer know.

HOW DO I JOIN?

Meetings will start toward the end of September. Keep an eye on this newsletter and for handouts in your child’s backpack for more information.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Dr. DeMoll’s time is best used playing chess with the kids to help them improve their game so parents are needed for extra supervision. Also, parents need to send in a snack for the group periodically. You will see a signup for a rotation for these duties after the club begins meeting.

Destination Imagination

Are you on a creative path? Make your DESTINATION IMAGINATION!

Destination Imagination is a wonderful outlet for our creative SCAPA kids! It’s a great way to develop creativity, problem solving skills, teamwork and leadership…oh and it’s also a great way to figure out interesting things to create using 5 pieces of uncooked spaghetti, 3 mailing labels, 2 index cards, a 6 inch length of string, and a ping-pong ball! Kids in DI are faced with “instant challenges” like that one, and must present their results in unique ways, for example: as a TV commercial featuring a singing lima bean!

Kids practice those “instant challenges” at weekly practices, after school. They also compete at inter-school tournaments on certain Saturdays throughout the school year. In addition, teams select a larger-scale “central challenge,” which they will work on throughout the season. Students take what they know and what they are good at, and learn to apply it to create a solution that includes technical, dramatic, construction, and research elements. They present their solutions at a state tournament in March.

WHO MAY JOIN?

Anyone in grades 4-8 may join. DI meets on Mondays after school from 4-5 PM.

WHAT ABOUT PARENT INVOLVEMENT?

Parents are needed to lead teams of 5-7 students, and training is available.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

Find out more about Destination Imagination at http://www.idodi.org. More information about DI at SCAPA will be available at the start of the school year. Or contact Harold Putman if you are interested at h.putman@ieee.org.

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Alumni News and Spotlight

Look for Alumni news to appear in this area in future newsletters...

The Art of Parenting

According to George Santayana (philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist), “the family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” That being the case, I would contend we as parents are the principle artists.

Art is defined as the skill acquired by experience, study and observation; a branch of learning an occupation requiring knowledge or skill; the conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of aesthetic objects. Parenting is the act of rearing offspring; to foster, raise, bring up, care for, cherish, nurture and nourish the next generation. The ability to perform the latter is greatly enhanced by viewing it as the former. Thus the title for this column – the art of parenting.

So what do artists do to maximize the potential for producing a successful creation?

First of all, artists meticulously study their medium in order to understand and anticipate how it will respond to their applications.

Secondly, artists take the time to observe and study the work of those who have gone before them, not in order to replicate their work, but to learn from their strengths and avoid their mistakes, in an effort to create their own unique style.

Artists practice. They do and redo. They try, erase and try again. They are constantly striving to improve.

They have a vision for what they want the outcome to be. They are highly selective in who they involve in the process of their work.

Finally, artists arrive at that point when they realize they have done all that they can. They step back from their work, confident that they have given it all it needs to stand on its own.

Over the next several months we will explore how the art of parenting compares to other art forms, the similarities and differences. We will discover how we can apply the artists’ effective practices to the creation of our own family masterpieces.

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Prior to her role as SCAPA Arts Facilitator, Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman was a Parent/Family Life Educator and licensed Marriage and Family Thereapist. She was the author of The Parents’ Toolbox for The Lexington Family Magazine as well as Pastoral Parenting for the Church of the Resurrection newsletter.

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