Win This Bowl (as you change the world)

Win This Bowl!!! Find out how at http://baileyfiberart.com/RussiaTrip.aspx

Win This Bowl (as you change the world)

Beautiful e-book about art and disabilities

This book was just published. I am so proud to have an entry on page 17! Enjoy.

Rainbows and Butterflies-Heartfelt Stories of Special People and Special Education

Beautiful e-book about art and disabilities

Artist-in-Residency: Critters

Made this little video.  Look for more videos of other projects coming soon.

Artist-in-Residency: Critters

My Passion

I wrote this article for EVA mag. It appeared in the Feb edition. (See picture)

Webster defines passion as intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction; a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept. For me, passion is the juice that flows through me and energizes me to accomplish great things. I am an accomplished studio fiber artist and teaching artist. People tell me that I have the energy of 3 people. I am passionate about many things in life. I would like to tell you about one of them.

My Teaching

One of the things that I am most passionate about is the empowerment of people with disabilities through art. I am a professional fiber artist with a background in occupational therapy. I believe that the arts encourage innovation and self-expression by opening boundless opportunities, creating meaning from chaos, nurturing the spirit and making the seemingly impossible possible. By engaging in visual arts, the learner is empowered to transform, creating confidence and self-esteem and developing intellectual skills. The arts inspire, encourage and connect us to both ourselves and the world around us. The arts awaken the individual to believe and follow one’s dreams. Participating in visual arts changes the lives of my special needs students.

I actively pursue this passion in two ways. First, I teach groups of adults with cognitive challenges throughout greater Knoxville. We meet every other week to create various art projects. These projects are specifically designed to target and develop a variety of skills. The participants really enjoy the opportunity to interact with each other and learn something new. The finished projects fall into two categories. Half the projects are for personal use by the class participants. The rest of the projects are made for giving. Some projects go to family and friends. Others support the community, like nursing homes, the Humane Society, and U.S. soldiers abroad. I feel it is very important for everyone to give back to the community in which they live. I believe everyone has something of value to offer others regardless of ability. And, as I teach my students, when giving to others you get back tenfold.

I also work as an artist-in-residence in special education classrooms throughout the area. When I am in the special education classroom, I design projects that support and enhance both academic and IEP (Individual Education Plan) goals. Besides developing such personal areas as coordination, sequencing, attention span, and sensory integration, the students work on traditional subjects such as math, English, geography and history though art. I have seen many miracles over the years. These include withdrawn and communication-challenged children lighting up and shining with excitement. I’ve seen attention span, communication skills, and self esteem increase exponentially. I’ve also seen students who were frustrated by an academic concept, suddenly experience the joy of comprehension. I enjoy the added benefit of enlightening teachers and parents to the wonderful creative skills that the students have. Many times I have heard, “I had no idea my child was capable of creating something as wonderful as this. I am so proud.” It is that kind of feedback that fuels my passion for this engaging work

If your organization would like to see more pictures and hear uplifting stories of the wonderful results occurring in art education and/or help sponsor this work in the community, please e-mail me re: your interest.

My Passion

Brain Dance

I have started using BrainDance as a warm-up in my special ed classes before beginning work on our visual art project. The theories are consistent with those I learned in my Occupational Therapy training. I plan to teach some classes on the use of BrainDance. Follow this blog for updates. Please pass this post along to those who may be interested in this information.

The BRAINDANCE aids in creating stimulus to the brain to enhance
learning. Howard Gardner's work with multiple Intelligences, supports the theories of dance educators, that specific movement patterns can offer entry points into the learning process.
The BRAINDANCE is based on the latest in brain and learning research.
This movement sequence "explores the developmental movement patterns
human beings move thorough in the first year of life to wire the central
nervous system so the brain can operate fully, thus creating the
important mind-body connection needed for all learning. These student-centered experiences present developmentally appropriate material for all ages and levels of movement training. With four million children labeled ADHD and nearly 80% of all Americans that could be suffering with other learning challenges including loss of focus, disruptive behavior, erratic and unbalanced motor skills, sleep
disorders, stress, depression, and other medical ailments, the BrainDance can help to address these concerns regarding the teaching-learning process.

Brain Dance

Free On-line Paint Program: Sumo Paint

http://ezgod.sumopaint.com/web/#/home/

"SUMO Paint is an extremely powerful and versatile online paint program. Even a novice can create pleasing graphics. So, I believe SUMO Paint is something that could be used by almost anyone. I encourage teachers everywhere to make these tools available to learners in their classrooms

The site’s developers claim that SUMO Paint is “…the best and the most user friendly image editing and drawing application online.” There may well be no exaggeration in this claim. SUMO Paint offers advanced support for layers, and lists 20 features that include: Shape Tools; Clone Stamp Tool; Gradient Tool; Symmetry Tool; Smudge Tool; Magic Wand Tool. If these names make little or no sense, you can have a great deal of fun finding out by registering and logging in.

Files created in SUMO Paint can either be saved to your computer or to your SUMO account. You can share your art work in the SUMO Paint community and receive feedback. Many SUMO artists make their work available for other artists to “edit”..." http://paulhami.edublogs.org/2008/12/14/sumo-paint-online-resource/

Free On-line Paint Program: Sumo Paint

Whole Brain Thinking

"Do we still have unimaginable potential just waiting to be
unlocked? When you examine the functioning of the human brain, the
answer is a resounding, "Yes!"

In education, the left side of the brain is promoted much more than the right. Much attention is paid to arithmetic and word skills, while art and music receive little, and intuitive
development doesn't get any."

http://anacoana.blogster.com/whole-brain-thinking-210908120606

Whole Brain Thinking

Special Education Day

Today is "Special Education Day". I am working on a project with A.L.Lotts as part of an ongoing state-wide study by VSA-TN. The study examines learning through collaboration between teaching artists, art teachers and special ed teachers. At A.L.Lotts, we will be creating critters/creatures along with a special critter house and book. Watch for updates.

Special Education Day

My interview with Madcap Logic

Thanks For Giving Art, Bailey Earith

"Bailey Earith, first found joy when she discovered fiber art. A broad term that covers quilts but is more than that. Her creations involve beads, vintage buttons, feathers, hand-painted fabric, manipulated fabric, cords, yarns, and found objects.Her work is viewed and collected globally.

However, she continues to find, and share joy. As an Artist In Residence with the Tennessee Arts Commission, she uses art to reach kids with disabilities...."

Read rest of post http://blog.madcaplogic.com/?tag=bailey-earith

My interview with Madcap Logic

Autism: Making Education a Positive Experience

"...an increasing number of parents and educators want to ensure all children receive a positive educational experience. As no two autistic children display precisely the same autism symptoms, it becomes impossible to create a standardized program that creates positive experiences for children with autism at school. Therefore, it is likely that in order to receive the best possible education an autistic child will need to undergo an ever-changing educational strategy throughout their entire learning career. ..." (Excerpted from http://www.126126.info/autism-and-school-aged-children-making-education-a-positive-experience/)

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans’ brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family find out about managing autism and school successfully. http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com/?source=is

Autism: Making Education a Positive Experience

Buy My Art at VSA Charity Auction

My friend Claire Presnal with Rebecca Claire photography and I have several items up for auction to support the VSA. The VSA supports artists with disabilities and brings art opportunities to special ed classrooms. See items #59-75. http://news.vsaartstennessee.org/2008/10/auction.html is where you go to bid. Now the only trick is that they aren’t able to post photos on their site, so they asked me to post images of my auction items on my own site. They have the links for my work and Claire’s listed, but here are active links for you to click. To see Rebecca Claire Photography’s auction items http://rebeccaclaire.com/album_designs/vsa/VSA.html or Bailey Fiber Art’s auction items http://baileyfiberart.com/VSAAutionitems.aspx. This is a great group, and to learn more about the VSA visit their website http://vsaartstennessee.org/index.htm. Bidding is open until midnight on the 14th, which as we all know, is going to sneak up on us. This is their first ever on line auction, so please help support this great arts program!

Buy My Art at VSA Charity Auction

Charity Art Auction

Good morning!

Please check out this wonderful charity auction of artwork. The VSA supports artists with disabilities and brings art opportunities to special ed classrooms. Bailey Fiber Art Studio has donated several items (see #59-66). Good luck and happy bidding. Thank you for your suppport! http://news.vsaartstennessee.org/2008/10/auction.html

Charity Art Auction

The power of the language of art

Ever wonder how art can transform lives? The AchieveKids 3rd Annual Art Show can show you how even kids with the greatest difficulty in communications can speak with eloquence through their art. Set for Friday, October 24th, at the Decathelon Club in Santa Clara...http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/power-language-art----achievekids/story.aspx?guid=%7B4F5A65F8-902F-4BE8-A5A8-DD53D7BA9275%7D&dist=hppr

The power of the language of art

Art in Special Education – Ten Tips for Success

Article by Anne Vize
Published on Sep 26, 2008

Art is a fabulous subject to share with special needs learners. It is a vehicle for developing literacy, numeracy, communication, creativity, higher order thinking and social abilities in a positive and enjoyable setting. Give art a go with your special needs learners, who may have a hidden talent.

Art activities in special education
There are many satisfying and enjoyable tasks you can share in the art program with special needs learners. Some require a significant amount of preparation, but others can be done simply, cheaply and easily. As with many teaching situations, there are some tips to make your life easier.

Tips for success in teaching art... http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/8574.aspx

Art in Special Education – Ten Tips for Success

Promote empathy thru art ed

...The approach is integrated with art, drama and music so that, "children develop emotional literacy and the ability to find the humanity in themselves and one another". The social climate of classrooms change when students develop a sense of how others feel, both fellow students and teachers who have feelings too. Aggression is reduced by empathy. "Children change from the inside out, developing intrinsic motivation and intrinsic pride instead of reward-driven superficial, fleeting satisfaction". ...Various special interest groups also recognise the importance of teaching empathy-those concerned with (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), autism, English Language Learners (ELL).

I have exerpted this article here. See link for full article. http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=2&aid=15&dir=2008/September/Monday15

Promote empathy thru art ed

Autism Support at Midwestern State University

In February, the professor of special education was brainstorming with teachers and a graduate student in her special education class about starting a program at MSU that would help high-functioning autistic students attend college. Today, just six months later, she sits in a house near campus where three such students will live and attend MSU with the help of several live-in special education graduate students.

Click here: Corpus Christi, TX KRISTV.COM Midwestern St. has autism support program

Autism Support at Midwestern State University

VSA Young Soloist Show @ Dollywood

VSA has sponsored a performance that will be held on Oct. 10th at 10am at Dollywood.

The performance will feature our Young soloist winners who are young people who have competed in instrumental and/or vocal music. These finalists will represent the State of Tennessee in an international competition. At this performance, the performers will share their stories of living with a disability, the role of the arts in their lives, how to others can apply for this scholarship program - and of course perform. The performance will be an hour. However, the schools are welcome to spend the rest of the day as they like in the park.

VSA Young Soloist Show @ Dollywood

VSA arts Hosts Conference on Universal Design for Learning

VSA arts Hosts 2008 Educational Conference on Universal Design for Learning

VSA arts discusses the latest trends in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how it relates to arts education at its 2008 conference "The Contours of Inclusion: Universal Design for Learning for Arts in Education" on Sept. 19 in Washington, D.C. Keynote speaker Dr. Tracey Hall from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) will frame UDL principles and practices, and attendees will learn to apply UDL to arts curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Click here: VSA arts Hosts 2008 Educational Conference on Universal Design for Learning - MarketWatch

VSA arts Hosts Conference on Universal Design for Learning

Art Project @ TN School for the Blind

An article describing my lastest artist-in-residency, "Candy Mosaics", at TSB in Nashville was just published by Advance for Occupational Therapy. For more about what I am doing in special education classrooms, please see my web site: http://www.baileyfiberart.com/

Art Project @ TN School for the Blind