Lisa Call

Structures #25    ©2003    8" x 8"

Expeditionary Learning

I’ve mentioned before that my kids attend an Expeditionary Learning school. From their website:

Our approach combines rigorous academic content and real world projects — learning expeditions — with active teaching and community service. The ELS design focuses on teaching in an engaging way.

The schools have a set of 10 design principles that

express the philosophy of education and core values of Expeditionary Learning. Drawn from the work of Outward Bound’s founder Kurt Hahn, and other educational leaders, they shape school culture and provide a foundation for the moral purpose of schools.

I’ve been looking at these design principles the last few days as my daughter finishes up her portfolio for the year. Instead of grades the kids have to create a portfolio of their best work from the year and present it to a panel, which will determine if they are ready to pass onto the next grade.

The principles are not just a great way to teach kids, they are excellent guiding principles for anyone.

If the principles fail to become a way of life, then we have negated all that we have put into Expeditionary Learning.

Over the next few posts I’m going to share these design principles and some thoughts about how I think they relate to my being an artist.

Design Principle #1: The Primacy of Self-Discovery

Learning happens best with emotion, challenge and the requisite support. People discover their abilities, values, "grand passions," and responsibilities in situations that offer adventure and the unexpected. They must have tasks that require perseverance, fitness, craftsmanship, imagination, self-discipline and significant achievement. A primary job of the educator is to help students overcome their fear and discover they have more in them than they think.

Self-Discovery as a Artist

I’ve spent the last 2 days thinking about what to say about this in relationship to making art because for me this principle basically captures so perfectly what being an artist is all about. There isn’t much more to say. Discovering who I am and pushing myself into the unknown - yes. Much of it is about acknowledging the fear of creating and then just going on and doing it anyway.

I think having friends, mentors and a community is tremendously valuable for exactly what is written above - "discover they have more in them than they think". Yet I also think it is my responsibility to learn to overcome the fear on my own also. To push myself into something new and unexpected. Relying on others to always do the pushing doesn’t work for me. I think taking that responsibility for myself is extremely enriching and it’s where my best art comes from.

Moving Update

I have new carpet! I’m more than half done moving my furniture back in place and getting things ready for the house to go on the market on Tuesday, June 3rd. Lots of cleaning, minor repairs, last minute touchups, the last of the yard work: it’ll be a busy weekend and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m so excited!

The house looks fabulous. The yard looks awesome. My kids say our house is starting to look like a model home so we are headed in the right direction. And best of all I have 2 potential buyers chomping at the bit to see the house.

By sunday evening I hope to be back in my studio making art. Keeping the house clean for showings seems like a piece of cake compared to what it took to get this place in shape.

Structures #25 - Moving Sale

Structures #25 is one of the first smaller pieces I made in the Structures series. When I looked up the date to put in this post I realized I made it 5 years ago. Somehow it doesn’t feel that long. This piece is one I still love. It doesn’t have as much of the cringe factor (I love that phrase Stacey) as some of my older work. It’s originally priced at $175. With my moving sale it is $105 (until June 15).

If you are interested in purchasing Structures #25, or any of my available artwork please email me.

Detail of Structures #25: