Morgan Book Project

I'm so happy to be a part of the Morgan Book Project as a judge. It's a wonderful program developed by the Morgan Library and Museum that integrates core curriculum in the areas of art, science, history and literature in schools. This year they changed the format slightly and began with 3rd G+.  See my previous posts about this program, but in a nutshell, the kids use the Morgan's collection of illuminated manuscripts as their inspiration. They learn to make their own paint, and are given professional, archival materials to produce their books on a variety of subjects from creative writing to social studies. Click http://www.themorgan.org/education/morgan-book-project/special-awards/2016 to view the winning submissions. The special awards books were on view at the museum.

New Work - natural science

More birds. For this ecological habitat illustration, I've focused on a female mallard. The pattern of the feathers gave me the direction of the style I chose. The dragonfly is found here in N.Y. and the frogs are bullfrogs. My thanks go out to Eric, Kristine and Esther at the NY Botanical Gardens for helping me to identify the plants. I love working in this style, but I must get a stylus and program to use it with. I'm still using a mouse!

POND, mixed media, natural science, Donna Miskend 2016
(libellula cyanea, peltandra virginica, lemna minor, typhalatifolia, Anas platyrhynchos, Rana catesbeiana)

EARTH DAY- a little late, so make it Earth Year!

We live in a disposable society. I see a lot of things people throw away in our building that could still be used. I visit the library at least once a week, so I take any books I find with me, but there are plenty of other places that will take them too. Most things will just wind up in a landfill. With a little research on the web and a few phone calls, you can make a huge difference not only in reducing waste, but also to our community organizations where every penny counts.

Here are some ideas of where you can donate unwanted items:
Books - a library, school, Veteran's facility, hospital, senior center, community center, thrift store.
Vintage items - clothing and other vintage items (dishes, telephone, furniture, etc.) are great for your local school drama departments and professional theater companies to add to their prop departments.

TDF Costume Collection

Donated costumes are the reason the Costume Collection is able to provide not-for-profit organizations with wardrobe for their productions. If you’d like to help TDF continue their mission, please consider donating your costumes or vintage clothing items. All donations are tax-deductible. To arrange a donation or for more information email the TDF Costume Collection or call (212) 989-5855.

Wearable Collections

is a NYC based company focused on keeping clothing, textiles and shoes out of landfills while generating funds for charities.

info@wearablecollections.com

Office supplies - schools, animal shelters
Towels, sheets - animal shelters
Misc. Items:
Get creative. what could that broken chair become? The seat could become a table top or shelf.

Habitat for Humanity 

not only takes furniture and appliances that meet current environmental standards, but they also take building and decorative materials. So if you are remodeling, contact them to see if they will take any of the flooring, tiles, lighting or other materials.

Happy Earth Year...

New Work - Natural Science

Burrowing Owl, natural science, collage, Donna Miskend 2016
(Cynomys Ludovicianus, Bouteloua Gracias, Camnula Pellucida
Athene Cunicularia, Melanoplus Bivittatus)

I'm building my portfolio of animals starting with birds. This is the habitat of the burrowing owl on the Canadian prairies.



And a female Kestral. More to come!

Kestral, natural science, graphite, Donna Miskend 2016
(Falco Sparverius)

Scholastic Writing Awards for kids

I am excited and inspired after a day of reading kids' submissions to the Scholastic Writing Awards.  I read some fantastic work. And even those entry's that were less successful had kernals of wonderful work to come. I read beautifully crafted sentences. There was dialogue that made me feel I was eavesdropping,  the words were so true and genuine. There were photographic descriptions, and poetic turns of phrases that could have come from the most accomplished writers. All this from 9th-12th graders (in my batch)! Of course my fingers are crossed for the submissions I nominated. It's all subjective though, so I hope all the participants continue to write.

The arts seem to be under assault these days where kids are concerned. Programs in schools are being cut in favor of a push for more math and science over arts education.  There's nothing wrong with math and science,  but I believe the emphasis in school should be on developing intellectual curiosity for life long learning, and a broad education that embraces the humanities. After school programs and libraries can also fill the gap, but they need your support. And get kids to participate. The greater the demand, the more attention these programs will receive.

Here's a link to the submissions guidelines. I encourage everyone to let kids know about this wonderful opportunity. http://www.artandwriting.org/the-awards/how-to-enter/
And thank you to Writopia Lab in Hartsdale for hosting. Writopia offers writing workshops for kids across the country. http://www.writopialab.org/ Happy writing.