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Artist Statement—I have been working with the traditional quilt block Crossed Square for almost a decade. Funky Monkey is an early exploration of that block. I love the colors of this piece. It reminds me of an afternoon spent crafting with my sisters and their children. We made many sock monkeys that day.
“Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.” – John F. Kennedy
My oldest son is an elementary school teacher. Last year was his first year with a classroom of his own at a Title One school. He noticed a student who was always making things, and he realized that she did not have the resources to be the ultimate maker that existed inside her soul. So, he called his mom and told me her story.
Well, I know most of you would have responded the same way I did. I told son #1, I can fix this! I can empower ALL THE MAKERS at Taku Elementary School. I call our group Crafty Makers, as in, we are smart and clever, and we make things. We meet every Friday I am in town during lunch and midday recess.
Last year, I started in February, so I had lots of students—who would want to go outside when it is five below? But as the school year went by and the sun came back, the numbers dwindled, and I was left with my people—the students who are truly interested in making things with their hands— aka the hardcore makers.
We have started this year off by creating project bags to hold all of our future Crafty Maker endeavors. Next, we are going to experiment with crocheting and sock monkeys! EVERYONE wants to make a sock monkey, and so we will.
When our kids were younger, I volunteered a lot, but Covid and my current work travel schedule has sabotaged my recent efforts. I am on the road so much that volunteering for an outside organization just isn’t possible. BUT, I can volunteer for my own program. Right? It feels good and exciting to be back at it.
Do you have volunteer goals for 2024? Who needs your help? |
