Summer Student Programs- That's a Wrap!

We just wrapped up a Summer of student day camps. July and August were extremely busy months for everyone in the Education department- from the interns up to the department director!

Over the years, our Summer Student Programs have become a reunion of sorts with many familiar smiling faces we may not see too often during the school year. Some students we saw for their last summer as they graduate out of the age range of our day-camps and some students began their summer tradition with us for the first time.

We made wind chimes and weavings, puppets and paintings, metal tooling and plastic bottle boats. We explored ancient aztec culture, contemporary Mexican culture, and concepts of recycling and creative re-use. We dove deep into the ocean for science and STEM connections through a variety of games and activities. Even character building lessons found their way into our discussions and crafts as we learned what it means to be resilient, work together, and try new things.

Our inspiration comes from many things either from the museum vault or prize winning children's books but our goal is always the same: to educate the children in our community and open their eyes to new things from our past and present that might aid them toward a brighter future. By sharing our enthusiasm for the beautiful artwork, culture, and amazing things our big and varied world has to offer we hope to instill a similar appreciation in our students and in all the people who are touched by the OJAC and our programs. 

-Molly Gore Merck

Education Coordinator

Western Swing 2017

The 22nd Annual Western Swing Fundraiser was a big success! 

Thanks to all who came out for this fabulous exhibit opening and fundraiser benefitting OJAC Education Programs!

Each individual ticket sponsors 5 students for a year of school outreach through Art-To-Go.

Make plans to join us next June for this special event!

Kenna Hogan, Development and Marketing Coordinator

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Earth Day at the OJAC

On Saturday, April 22nd, the OJAC hosted a Family Festival in celebration of Earth Day! Families of all shapes and sizes from the surrounding area made the trek to Albany to participate in arts, crafts, and activities that included important Earth Day topics. We created a cheerful spring mural out of our recycling, made bird feeders, and even got our hands a little dirty planting in an effort to learn about taking better care of our planet.

The truth is, after all the planning and preparation, Family Festivals are as much fun for the museum staff and volunteers as they are for those who attend. We love introducing local students and people of all ages to new cultures, art-forms, and social awareness topics in an exciting, hands-on way. Seeing our student's faces light up when they try or learn something new reminds why we're here and brings joy to even the most mundane tasks. In the weeks leading up to a Family Festival, flyers are sent out to all our participating Art-to-Go students from Region 14 and personal invitations are extended by our instructors in every classroom they visit. As a result, families come from miles around to experience the crafts, music, games, and refreshments inspired by a culture or topic represented in the museum collection.

We look forward to these quarterly opportunities to make fun and creative connections with visitors of all generations from our community. Bring the whole family and join us for our next Family Festival this Fall. 

- Molly Gore Merck

Education Coordinator

JuDo's at the OJAC

Visit the OJAC on any day of the week and you are likely to run into a JuDo or two. (Junior Docent, that is!)

In addition to an active adult Docent Volunteer Corps, the museum hosts a Docent training program for ages 14-19. Since 2008, this program has played a large role in the museums relationship with its small, West Texas community. Children that grow up attending OJAC Summer camps or Family Festivals apply for the Junior Docent program, knowing they will help to continue those same events for younger students and families in their hometown. 

This experience of this program is part internship/ part art education and arts advocacy training. Junior Docents aid Education Department Staff in a variety of tasks- from pinning flyers around town, program supply prep and event set-up, to researching and leading gallery talks and curating an exhibit of local student art each Spring. By high school graduation, these students have had an invaluable exposure to the fine arts, as well as an opportunity practice their research and public speaking skills and invest in the cultural assets of their community.

These teen volunteers are an integral part of the OJAC family, and while they are rewarded with snacks, Appreciation Field Trips and even college scholarships, the museum views itself the true winner as it develops precious relationships with these future advocates.

Molly Gore Merck, Education Coordinator

Graduating Intern Reflects on her Time at The OJAC

Being a Junior Docent has played an important role in my life.

I signed up to be a junior docent my seventh grade year. I heard of the program through my older brother who was also a junior docent. I saw how he enjoyed his time at the Old Jail and decided I would give it a shot. I loved art class and I loved making art and hoped that the Junior Docent Program would bring me the same creative joy.  Being an awkward 12 year old, I was shy, quiet, and didn’t like to step outside of my comfort zone. Over the years, working with the junior docents has brought me out of my shell and taught me to be more social. I have loved getting to work all of the family festivals and summer art camps. When I was asked to be a high school intern my sophomore year, I was so excited. I get to work at the Old Jail every week and I honestly enjoy every minute of it. I love getting to make samples for Art-to-go and Distance Learning and volunteering at the family festivals. It’s heart warming to watch other children make art and enjoy it as much as I do. Being a part of junior docents has had a big role in my becoming who I am today. I keep telling Erin I’m going to drive back and forth from San Angelo State so I can keep working here while I’m in college. 

I have enjoyed my time here at the Old Jail Art Center and I highly recommend joining the Junior Docents program to any student interested in art.

Savannah Perez
2016 Graduate of Albany High School

My Top Three OJAC Moments of 2015

With the year coming to a close, like most, I can’t help but wonder where did the time go? While my days (and nights) were filled to the brim with a variety of events, I’ve siphoned down my memories of 2015 into a Top Three.

Without further ado, My Top Three OJAC Moments of 2015:

3. Bobbing for Apples

Each Summer, the Education Department hosts a slew of camps inspired by our collection and current exhibitions. One of these camps focuses on a culture represented in the collection. The culture/theme changes every year so we can cycle through the many cultures and countries represented at the museum.

2015 focused on Ancient Greece.

Obviously we had an Olympics of a sort with the campers, with the grand finale being a twist on the Golden Apple myth and Bobbing for Apples (any way to cool down in the hot Texas sun is a must!).

Between the squeals of laughter  (yay!) and runny noses (gross!) it was a great afternoon

 

2. Capturing artist Natasha Bowdoin’s installation of HEX∆M.    

One of my absolute favorite things about the Old Jail is its Cell Series. Meeting contemporary artists, hearing what inspires them and learning about their processes is a priceless aspect of my job. Natasha Bowdoin was our Cell Series artist this spring, and golly, was she a treat!

Her work is vibrant and captivating, just as much as her personality. Chatting with her was a definite highlight of the year.  (check out the time-lapse of her install: http://theoldjailartcenter.org/exhibitionlist/2015/2/7/natasha-bowdoin-hexm)

1. Exploring Downtown Dallas with the Jr. Docents…because let’s face it, who doesn’t love good art and food trucks?

Here at the OJAC we are fortunate to have a group of Jr. High and High School volunteers called the Jr. Docents. As a thank you for all of their hard work and time, we take the kiddos on an adventure at the end of each semester to a variety of museums. This summer we explored the museum district in Dallas.

Between imitating art at the Nasher, enjoying the food trucks (gryo pita anyone?), and having an immersive experience at the DMA, I can honestly say it was a fun-filled day with high energy, ending in a sleepy and quiet car ride back to Albany.

Have yourself a very Happy New Year, everyone!

Molly Gore Merck, Education Coordinator

Musings on Art-To-Go

Demonstrating how to carve linoleum to high school students during Art to Go.

Art to Go is a point of pride, and I am very happy to spend a large portion of my job participating in this outreach program. While there are countless aspects and benefits of this program that I love, from sharing the museum’s collection with over one-thousand students a month across rural Texas to encouraging students to explore new creative outlets, there is one trait of this program that I relish above all:  experiencing the developmental processes and abilities of students at an accelerated rate.

What do I mean by this? Let me explain.

Throughout a single month, I will visit the classrooms of Preschoolers through Seniors in High School. Working with this range of students every month, I experience the mental, physical, and emotional progression of a young child to adolescent to young adult condensed in a matter of days, rather than years.

I like to think I am watching the students of this region, as a collective, growing up double time.

It is a fascinating thing.

Molly Gore Merck, Education Coordinator