Coming to the Holidays

As we look towards the break for Christmas we are coming to the end of the design phase. Some students who had settled into the design quickly, have even begun painting their boots. 

The designs this year are seem less focused on identity -- my national flag, my soccer team's colors. the flora of my homeland, or my favorite thing -- and more on an escape. There are boots with medieval worlds, boots with fantasy characters, and boots with mythical plants. Some boots still reflect ethic heritage or national identity but this year more are personal. 

For many reasons this year feels different from the last time. We feel constrained in the materials - the paints that were new last year, are sometimes thick in their pots, hardened and impossible to reconstitute. The paints and Sharpies from last year have become art supplies - that sense that the materials were special, were part of a singular project, has been subsumed into the class routine. 

But still, there is joy - hard work and focus on rework to make things perfect.

Project Launched for 2008-09

Mimo Gordon Riley mentors a student as he begins to experiment with the designs for his boot template.

2009 Edition Welcomes New Artists!

The project kicked off the other day. We have two new artists, Mimo Gordon Riley and Kenn Speiser. Both are a great addition to the project. Susan has a new room this year - just as warm and creative as her former space only this time it is bigger and architecturally more interesting with overhead beams running through one section. (I wonder if it has been decorated for this Hallowe'en). 

Mimo Gordon Riley

Mimo Gordon Riley is primarily an oil painter, with a particular interest in trees. That interest may result from her having completed her formal arts education  at the Portland School of Art in Maine, the pine tree state. She has also studied in Florence, Italy, New York, NY, and at the School of the Museum, Boston, MA. 

Mimo has exhibited extensively in Rhode Island and Maine - most recently at Gallery Agniel and the Space at Alice in Rhode Island, and the Seven Knots and Mulford galleries in Maine. Her website at http://www.mimogordonriley.com showcases her work. 

The 02863Project 2009 Edition!

The ALRI-Timberland 02863Project will fly again for the 2008-2009 academic year. We will be working again with Susan Vollucci and the students at Central Falls High School. Thanks to generous contributions from ALRI we were able to purchase the boots this year. (Timberland's fortunes in the marketplace, have, well, stuttered, like the rest of the market). The calendar this year will allow for a little more time - we plan to begin the project in November and end it in May 2009. Looking forward to another exciting year. 

Boots Go on Tour - United Kingdom

The boots have made their splash in Rhode Island, but they have also been on tour in the United Kingdom. Johanna spoke about the boot project in Aberdeen, Scotland and Cardiff, Wales. 

These are the boots at Castle Eilean Donan on the shores of Loch Duich. 

It's a Wrap for 2007-2008

The 02863Project has a summer vacation before we start up again in the next school year. Our visits to Timberland have been rewarding and it looks as though they will again support the project. This time will be much easier as we know the teacher, the process, and have all the materials.

We raised over $10,000 for the project and awarded three $1000 scholarships that will be renewable for a second year. The funds are for books and art supplies - an increasing cost for college students and a barrier to many who have worked hard to get to college and put together packages of grants and loans to further their education.

Thanks to all who supported the project and I look forward to seeing the boots on the streets in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York and many other states.