Hi,
I've been following this thread with interest. It seems like everywhere I
hear that a lot of people are feeling flat and burned out. I include myself
in this litany. I've taken a silent vow to graciously say no to extra
stuff; as much as possible. Some years I am very active in committees, art
groups etc. and some years I take a hiatus.
While I haven't been able to work on a body of art work lately, I have found
a new outlet for my creative energies. As a mixed media sculptor, I've
become a member of the California Blacksmith Association. I want to add
heavy-duty metal techniques to my sculpture. As a novice artist blacksmith,
I attend a class on Friday evenings (hard to drag myself there after a week
of school, but..) heat up metal and shape it with a hammer. Very
satisfying!! The fact that this is SO different from what I usually do has
added "euphoria" to my life.
Alix E. Peshette
Technology Coordinator
Emerson Junior High School
Davis, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Christa Wise [mailto:cwise@remc7.k12.mi.us]
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 5:10 AM
To: ArtsEdNet Talk
Subject: Re: Teacher burnout - more last words
Re Ken: "Next year I have to drop some of these things and simplify my
life."
I was just going to say that "getting involved" is what helps me through
the school year, and now your post seems to say the opposite. Different
strokes...
I need new challenges to "stay juiced." A couple of years ago it was
National Board Certification, the past year it was applying for a grant and
getting an artist-in-residence, going to the SCAD summer program, or TICA,
the Art Institute's program. Sure, all are extra work, but it is doing this
new stuff -- that keeps my job fresh. I seem to need to have something
"coming up" to avoid getting stale.
If some of you are in a slump, maybe you need to find something with which
to challenge yourself. ...and, of course, maybe some need to simplify.
Whatever it takes to get out of the "same old" rut.
