Maine Department of Education

Free Teaching Art Video Available:

The second in a series of art teaching videos is now available at the Maine State Library. The Maine Artist and Landscape Project was formed to provide videos for Maine teachers to use free, as teaching tools.

“THE LUCID MARK- South School Interviews Dennis Pinette,” brings 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th grade students from South School, of Rockland, to interview artist Dennis Pinette in his Farnsworth exhibit. The young students respond with eager inquiry to Mr.Pinette’s engaging interview. The artist is remarkably forthcoming about his techniques, the artistic process, his challenges, his intent, and his growth as an artist. The 2 student painting sessions demonstrate the energizing and positive impact of this encounter with art, and the real artist who made it, as the students try their own hands at creating a “rendered dream.” High school students helped in the filming and editing process.

Already in use is “WAYPOINTS” – Tanglewood Interviews Eric Hopkins,” about the meaning of landscape in his life and work. In his exhibit, at the Farnsworth Art Museum, among his dynamic work, the young campers ask him the kind of questions all children would want to know. Mr. Hopkins gives lively responses about his inspiration in the “meeting of land, sea and sky.” In a rousing session, the campers then paint in his style. They take up brushes again, to do paintings of landscapes that are important to each of them. As one girl says, “…it was a once in a lifetime experience.”

These videos were produced to bring that experience to you. Maine teachers can replicate the project wherever they are around the state. They may contact the Maine State Library, send in a blank video, and get their copies with teacher’s notes. They may view the videos with their students, and see how to do the two painting sessions.

Our mission is twofold: Without preaching or drawing conclusions, we hope to prompt young people to think about the impact of the landscape on each of them. We want to bring the richness of our artistic and natural resources to children in all parts of the state, including the many areas where there are no art teachers for elementary school students, areas where the art programs are stretched thin, and areas where the art teachers are looking for more ways to connect with students who have different kinds of learning styles.

This project is done in collaboration with the Farnsworth Art Museum, South School,and The Watershed Community School, all of Rockland. The videos have been made possible through generous grants from the MBNA Foundation - Maine Excellence in Education Grant Program, and the Oak Grove School Foundation, and through the generous donation of time, and expertise from many professionals and volunteers. We thank Eric Hopkins and Dennis Pinette for their enthusiastic help.

Maine teachers may receive a copy of the video, by sending in a blank tape and a return envelope to:

Media Services

Maine State Library

State House Station, #46,

Augusta , Me. 04333

Please pass the word to other teachers. And if you can, take a moment to write or e-mail, (subject: video) Nancy Glassman with feedback and suggestions:

Nancy Glassman, 642 Lincolnville, Ave., Searsmont, Me. 04973

nancyglassman@prexar.com (please put “video” as the subject )

Others interested in obtaining copies of the videos can communicate with the producer at the above address.

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