I've recently been working on a large scale community project. This idea bloomed in March when I attended the National Art Education Association conference in Boston, MA. Teachers from Chelsea HS shared the project. As is often the case, these teachers were willing to share how they did it to help fellow teachers launch the project. (Please visit www.whyyoumatter.org to learn about their project). 

I was inspired and wanted to bring this back to Fallon. Fallon is a great community, but we lack the resources that large cities have when it comes to mental health services. Additionally, Nevada has one of the highest rates of suicide in the country. With this in mind, I wanted to expand the project to include our community in addition to the school. 

#WhyYouMatter is a campaign to promote positive self-image. My goal is to remind our students and community that we are all important. We each bring a unique gift that enhances our community. The project invites each member of the community to be photographed with an "I matter because" statement. Photos will be printed in black and white with a red banner. We will display the images in the community exhibitions that will be hung in January and again in April and invite the community to come out for a #WhyYouMatter night. 

I first approached our school superintendent to gauge how receptive she would be to the idea. Of course, she was on board. So I set out to engage our community. I contacted anyone who I thought might be willing to support the project and the idea. I went to various meetings in the community and shared the project and my goals. I approached anyone who would listen. 

Fortunately for me, our local library was the first group who jumped on board and offered support. Once the Churchill Library was on board, others in the community followed. Within two months, I had raised enough money to support the project both within the school and the community. I have to say, that I've lived in a number of places through out the country and this is the first time that I have been able to launch something this large. The community support here is something I have not experienced in other places. Not to say it isn't there, but I am impressed with the willingness and motivation of this town in particular. 

I will launch the project this coming Saturday at the Fallon Community Days event. You can read more about the project on our website: www.whyyoumatterfallonnv.com.

If you are a local, please come participate. Make your voice heard and remember—you have an important role to play.

I've recently jumped back into book making after a short break. I returned to full time teaching after a 4 year absence and was reminded of how challenging it can be to create your own work. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching. Mostly, I love interacting with my students, building relationships with them and seeing them create, but all of this is exhausting! I find I come home with little energy and feel utterly drained. 

A few weeks ago, I taught a class at the University of Utah for educators. It was a book arts class designed to assist teachers of any content and grade level to integrate book arts into the classroom. It was just the motivation and inspiration I needed to jump back into my work. 

As I created the samples that I would take to the class, I realized that I often put way too much pressure on myself. I worry so much about the end result and having a serious message that I forgot how much fun it can be to just create. One of the samples I made for the class was an accordion fold book about the moon. It is rather simple in content, but reminded me of what joy being creative without pressure can be. I let go and just made something. Afterward, I decided to create a small edition. Hand painting reminded me of one of the first books I ever made and it felt good to return to those roots. 

When I first started making books, I only used what I had on hand. I often collaged, painted or used recycled materials. When I attended graduate school, I often felt that those materials were looked down on. That if I didn't use letterpress or printmaking techniques, that my work wasn't worthy. Now, no one ever flat out said this, but it seemed to be an unwritten rule. So I left those things behind. Now, I find myself drawn back to them and finding the creative bliss that comes with it. 

These little books measure 5 x 5 inches and are hand painted with gouache. I outlined the images with Sharpie and will transfer the text with a blender pen. Low tech, but I am rather happy with the end result. Edition of 3 with one mock up (as pictured in the first two images). These are all in progress.