ALL ALTERNATIVE K-6 PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK!

In general I am not an alarmist, but this is ALARMING.

There is a proposal in the house budget that would eliminate all alternative schools k-6 as of the fall of 2010. You can follow the link below to page 132 to see the details. ICE staff is encouraging all parents who would like to see this program continue to call and write both of our house representatives as soon as possible. We have been told that the legislature is supposed to make a final decision on this by March 11th. Please contact the representatives listed below if you would like to see ICE continue k-6. We just found out about this proposal this afternoon. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

THANK YOU!!!!

CONTACT:

Lynn Kessler

Olympia office:PO Box 40600339A Legislative BuildingOlympia, WA 98504-0600
(360)786-7904
District office:535 East 1st Street Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360)457-2520
Toll-free Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
Email: kessler.lynn@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Kevin Van De Wege
Sequim office:123 W. Bell St., Suite 100
Sequim, WA  98382
(360)582-9830
(360) 582-9831 (fax)

Olympiaoffice:
PO Box 40600
316 John L. O’Brien
Olympia, WA 98504-0600(360) 786-7916
Toll-free Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
Olympia phone:  (360)786-7916
Sequim phone:  (360) 582-9830

Email: vandewege.kevin@leg.wa.gov

The House Education Appropriations Chair is Kathy Haigh (360) 786-7966.

Senate Ways and Means Chair is Kelli Linville (360) 786-7854.

Senator Jim Hargrove
Olympia Office:
411 Legislative Building
PO Box 40424
Olympia, WA 98504-0424
(360) 786-7646
Fax: (360) 786-1323
District Office:
(360) 533-9477

HERE is the link to where you will find the detail for this budget proposal.

Click on “Summary and Agency Detail Reports” and scroll to page 132.

art with heart

This piece will be on auction, along with some to the best work of many regional artists,  to benefit kids in Port Townsend schools:

System VI, 2009, acrylic, ink, glitter, 8 x 48″

“After undergoing a juried selection, more than 80 works of art have been chosen for the second annual “Art with Heart” silent auction hosted by the Port Townsend Education Foundation (PTEF) on Saturday, Feb. 20, 7-9:30 p.m. The event is staged at the Northwest Maritime Center.

Showcasing local and regional artists’ work in a variety of media, the collection includes acrylic, ceramic, encaustic, glass, jewelry, oil, photography, sculpture, textile, mixed media, watercolor and wood – all at different prices. The idea, conceived by the late Sherry Grover, was built on a desire to create a fundraising event that would have multiple benefits: Provide direct support for classroom teachers and students in the Port Townsend public schools, give exposure to high-quality artwork and a commission to the people who created them, and offer a fun event.

Last year’s auction, the first of its kind, raised $30,000. The PTEF mission is to raise money to support education projects in the Port Townsend schools. The PTEF issued thousands of dollars in grants to teachers to support a variety of extra programs.”

See the full PT Leader article:

The auction is accompanied by the music of the Bruce Cowan Quartet. Wine and appetizers are provided by the Silverwater Café.

The juried artwork can be viewed by visiting pteducationfoundation.org. Click on News and Calendar.

System VI, DETAIL

objects of desire

The Flesh is Very Delicate and Easily Bruised, 2009, acrylic, ink, glitter, 16 x 32″

Always the sexy show titles for February . . . .  Artisans on Taylor Gallery (as well as the Undertown Coffee and Wine) presents Objects of Desire, a group invitational featuring the works of Jesse Reno, Counsel Langley, Michael Gesinger, Peter Gritt, Brent Wickline, and Tom Walden.

Objects of Desire came into being by searching for works of art that one literally desires to possess. Some of these pieces are erotically literal, such as the tongue-in-cheek drawings and paintings of Peter Gritt, as well as the black-and-white photos by Michael Gesinger from his series titled Butoh. This series features women and men painted in white with looks and poses of passion upon their faces and in their body language.

Objects of Desire moves from the literal images of desire into the metaphorical, with the abstract works of Portland outsider-artist Jesse Reno, and Port Townsend abstract-artist Counsel Langley.  Reno’s work, which has been shown throughout this country, and also internationally, provides an abstract look at the things of which dreams are made;  animals, birds, shamans, and boats, all painted in an abstract vision of muted tones combined with harsh lines and bold strokes.  Langley provides a balance to this work with her grid-like, sometimes lacquered pieces, filled with rich tones, bright shapes and strokes, and the occasional bit of glitter.  Both Reno and Langley, provide a glimpse into the desire that is deep within the viewer. They capture a moment of time, a dream, a memory, and portray it in the most beautiful of abstractions.

The show is made complete with actual objects; the work of silversmith Tom Walden, and kinetic sculptor Brent Wickline.  Walden’s  museum-quality silver work has been admired by many as the objects of desire that they truly are. He creates intimate boxes that fill with light, but yet hold not a thing, and tea infusers shaped like orchids. His work is truly mesmerizing.  Wickline, in his playful nature of balance and dreams, will present a new collection of his notable whirly-gigs, as well as an installation piece for the window of the gallery.  The art of both Walden and Wickline truly embodies the objects that we, as viewers, deeply desire.

An artist’s reception for Objects of Desire will be held at Artisans on Taylor Gallery, during Gallery Walk on February 6th from 6 to 8pm.  The reception will continue  at Undertown Coffee and Wine, where additional works by Reno, Langley, and Gritt will be on display.

Artisans on Taylor is located at 236 Taylor (across from the Rose Theatre) and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please call 379.1029 for questions or visit us on-line at www.artisansontaylor.com.