Last week Allan was invited to the Nerman to give a demonstration during a fund-raiser for Head Start.  These functions are essential for early education programs such as HS, which suffered huge budget cuts over the past 8 years, apparently because the previous administration placed little value on education for working-class children.  Well it seems that trend is about to be reversed.  Good.  That way more than just the privileged will get a shot at prosperity. 

As you can likely tell, one painting is finished and the other only about halfway done.  Both involve the Missouri River.  I gather that Allan and his work were very well received.  I’d have attended, but had business with an ice storm in AR.

We took all these punks from Paseo on a field trip to Lexington last September–“we” being their art teachers and I.  Went to study the Civil War battle there, drink in a little history, a lot of fun, then see what these young artists created as a result. 

Four months later, I have to say I’m knocked out.  This is one of the best shows that any group of students I’ve worked with has yet produced.  Roughly 60 kids went, and most created two pieces each–some in 3-D. 

Their teachers, bless them, hung the show this year as I didn’t have time.  It’s being hosted by the Economic Development Council in their swank lobby, and all the works are for sale.  Each kid gets 50% if one of their works sells, the remainder going to their strapped arts program.  Did I buy any pieces?  Damn straight: three.  Were the kids proud?  I think the photos, though poorly taken, speak to that.