Family

In the long run there is not much discrimination against superior talent – Carter G. Woodson

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Every President since Gerald Ford has declared February as Black History Month and proclaimed a theme. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness.

Carter G. Woodson helped found a group that began what was initially Black History week. They chose the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.

Kizzmekia Corbett, an African American, is praised as the scientist behind the Covid vaccine. Corbett made headlines when she was part of a team that met with President Trump at the National Health Institute. “Corbett said that her participation during that event marked an important step forward for young scientists and people of color.”

She has a track record of excellence. When Corbett was a student she was selected for the Project Seed Project. The program for gifted minority students gave her the opportunity to study chemistry labs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Afterwards she received a full scholarship to the University of Maryland. During the summer, she earned an internship at the NIH.

After graduation began her doctoral studies at Chapel Hill. She worked as a research assistant studying viral infections. She received her PhD in microbiology and immunology.

Time honored her as “Hero of the Year” for her leadership in developing the Covid Vaccine.

Hero of The Year

KizzmekiaCorbett

Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Improved Academic Performance: Studies show that there is a correlation between art and other achievement.

“Dear Jackson,

I hear you’re having trouble in school. Forget about that place. Why don’t you join me in New York? If you’re serious about becoming an artist, this is the place to be anyway. You can study at the Art Students League….”

Jackson Pollock is the most challenging and influential American artist of the 20th century. He was the “first action” painter, meaning he would drip, pour, throw, and splash his paint onto very large canvases which he laid flat on the floor. He is nicknamed “Jack the Dripper.”

He was born in Cody, Wyoming and grew up in Arizona and California. He studied painting at Manual Arts High School, Los Angeles. He dropped out after being encouraged to move to New York by his older brother. He studied under Thomas Hart at the Art Students League.

splash and color.com

Jacksonpollock

Native American Essay Contest

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Native Americans have lived in Maine for thousands of years. Today the four Maine Tribes are the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy known as the Wabanaki.

The State of Maine has a great kids website complete with games, coloring sheets and interesting programs and fun facts about Maine’s wildlife.

While Maine is famous for lobster, Maine has a variety of black bears, moose, puffin, etc. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has compiled a list of fun animal tracks for bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes and more for children to explore.

There are a variety of cool programs for youth. During Indigenous Heritage Month, Maine offers a Native American Essay Program for Maine’s student residents. Essays are reviewed by a panel of judges, who will select top entries for middle and high schoolers. Deadline for submission is November 12.

Wabanakinations.com

Mainekids.gov

splashandcolor.com

Indigenous Heritage Month

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make together for our children. Sitting Bull

Indigenous Heritage Month is a celebration of the contributions and achievements of the people of Indigenous descent and Native Americans.

The area around Gay Head has been home to Wampanoag tribe for thousands of years. The word Wampanoag has often been translated to mean “People of the Dawn.”

Charles Vanderhoop, a member of the Wampanoag tribe, served as assistant light keeper at Gay Head Lighthouse from 1913-1919. In 1919 Vanderhoop possibly became the first Native American Head Light Keeper while serving at Sankaty Lighthouse. He returned in 1920 as the Head Light Keeper of Gay Head.

splash and color.com

The Ultimate Superhero Test

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

You can not dream yourself into character, you must hammer and forge yourself into one. Henry David Thorea

I enjoy watching Star Trek mostly because of the dialogue. The series is replete with powerful quotes like this one: “Death is the Ultimate Character Test.”

I thought about this quote as I watched the Memorial Service for Colin Powell. His son Micheal Powell said that “We can’t emulate the resume of Colin Powell but we can emulate his eulogy.” That’s striking because our family members know us best. Colin Powell left a profound impression on his son that was exemplified in his personal and public life.

Just like the rest of us, Colin Powell had his flaws. But he was able to admit them.

At his core he was a thoughtful, kind and compassionate leader.

splashandcolor.com

Open House New York

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Experience New York during Open House New York October 16-17. There are not many fun cities like New York.

The iconic Jeffrey’s Hook lighthouse in New York rose to fame due to the popularity of the book “The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge” by Hildegarde W. Swift and Lynd Ward.

Open House New York fosters diversity and exploration.

Families can enjoy “access to thousands of places with architectural and cultural significance. Choose from in-person and virtual tours, talks, self-guided walks, and more.”

splash and color.com

The Timeless Power of Creativity

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Discover fun and exciting ways to build literacy skills through art. Explore the richness of cultures and traditions through creative expressions.

When the great artist, Katsushika Hokusai, died in his 90s, his last words were said to be a plea for just five or 10 more years to paint.

Hokusai is Japan’s most celebrated artist. He inspired the French Impressionist. Hokusai did paintings, wood prints, book illustrations, signs, and more. He was a visionary who went against tradition and used Prussian Blue instead of black and other innovations.

He led the way in subject matter; painting landscapes, still lifes, etc.

When he was in his mid 60s and early 70s, he created his greatest work, a series of color wood prints, 36 views of Mount Fuji that included his masterpiece “The Great Wave.”

splashandcolor.com

Book Review: Lily Brown’s Painting

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Lily Brown’s Painting by Angela Johnson and EB Lewis is a positive and uplifting book that younger children will enjoy. This book highlights the creativity, strengths and love of a delightful African American girl. Lily has a zest for life, adores her family and especially her baby brother.

Lilly is a compassionate and kind girl with an active imagination. She explores the world through her art.

Children and their families will create a watercolor painting of the stars from the book, Lily Brown’s Painting.

While there is a reference to art by Van gogh, Lily also finds inspiration and appreciation in everyday occurrences and elevates them to imaginative heights. There are no limits to her creativity. Lily becomes one with her art often immersing herself in the paintings.

I love that the author, Angela Johnson shares center stage with the illustrator. There is a nice foreword by the artist, EB Lewis, about his creative progress.

Check out my website for lesson plans for this book and other art workshops.

splash and color.com

Remember let us remember one book, one pen, one child, one teacher can change the world. Malala Yousafzai

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

The famed Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

On my first visit to Paris, I stayed at the Hotel de la Tulipe, a wonderful inn located near the Eiffel Tower. I traveled with a group of artists headed to Monet ‘s Garden in Giverny, France.

Grab, your flip flops and imagination. Explore Miami Beach’s Art Deco District through the eyes of a child in this delightful coloring book.

During my stay at the hotel, I befriended the Inn Keeper who told me about his creative and compassionate 5 year old. It seems his son wanted to make signs so tourists would not get lost in Paris. He showed me photos of the drawings.

The next day, I gave the Inn Keeper a copy of my Art Deco coloring book, “Splash and Color,” for his son. The following day much to my surprise, he told me his son had almost finished the coloring book and was researching the Internet to see what the actual buildings looked like.

Children have an insatiable curiosity. I’m glad my coloring book inspired this young Parisian.

Explore my a new website to see this coloring book, creative lesson plans and art.

Splash and color.com