Holiday Gifts

 

Well I've enjoyed the holiday season for the art of gift giving. I am one of six siblings and I have two adult kids (The A list). Of course the holiday thoughtfulness grows to include additional relatives, friends and significant others. My strategy, for a long time has been to find a memorable gift that won't break the bank that might bring a smile. I haven't tracked them over time but the following is a list of items that I recall being part of past Holiday A List gifts which I hope brought a smile or two. (The cool thing for me, is that I sometimes spot a past gift on a shelf or small space of honor in homes of those A listers.) I love that. I love you all.   

I don't recall the sequence by years but the following are some of the multiples that had seasonal meaning for me at the time.

• African Rain stick
• Magic 8 Ball
• Russian Nesting Dolls
• Bluebird of Happiness
• Polaroid Camera 
• Revere-ware teapot
• Tasco-brand Binoculars
• Kaleidoscope
• Unique Mosaic Puzzle 
• Morgan Bath Towels
• Art Museum Mug (Art Still has Truth Take Refuge There)
• Inventory Clearance (beats a garage sale)

 

March Ahead 25

 

March Ahead

Without fear and hopeful as I ride;

Pondering the future, I abide;

By one or by two on the opposite shore will be.

Looking for that light I will surely see;

A kind of focus inside.

I didn't win but it doesn't matter;

I'm older and getting fatter.

No need to compete.

You make me complete.

What does it matter?

It just doesn't matter.

In the moment.

In the now.

No wonder. 

No fame.

Just Wow!

 

Opera New Works Collective 2025

Black Coffee

As a recent St. Louis transplant, Makena is struggling to find community. After all, how exactly does one make friends as a grown-up? From googling “how to make friends” to trying a local book club, Makena isn’t ruling anything out. As her dad often reminds her, “Have patience and you’ll land the friends of a lifetime.” Poignant and funny by turns, Makena’s story is immediately relatable to anyone who has ever searched for a village of their own.

Family Style

17-year-old Mia lives with her father, Ping. They’ve scrimped and saved for years so that Ping can open his own Taiwanese restaurant after a lifetime of working as a dishwasher. However, Ping refuses to pursue his dream until Mia graduates and goes to college. Her education must come first. One day, a promisingly large envelope arrives from Mia’s top-choice university…but will her own dream come at too steep a price?

Kandake

In the ancient African kingdom of Kush, queens were known as the Kandake. Discover the true story of Kandake Amanirenas, the warrior queen who defied the might of the Roman Empire. When Amanirenas learns that a Roman army has captured the Kush city of Philae, she’ll stop at nothing to protect her people’s liberty…including single-handed combat against a deadly centurion. This action-packed opera brings to vivid life one of history’s greatest unknown heroines.

I was so impressed to see the New Works Collective last year, I might have been among the first to buy a ticket to see the Opera New Works Collective 2025. I eagerly anticipated my viewing and attendance on February 7, 2025. 

My Notes:

Black Coffee missed an opportunity to milk the Book Club as "not for me" but it was a sweet story of a girl trying to make a friend as an adult. 

Family Style had its moments as father and daughter connected. Another opportunity to enhance a memorable bit around the father character's love of food preparation as the father character proclaims the "dreams" that included the broccoli dreaming of being a part of a delicious meal. 

Kandake was based on a true story from history and the queen prevails as they defeat the pursuing Romans Army of Augustus Cesar. The king perished too quickly in this action but the celebration of the victory with beautiful costumes and confetti falling from the sky (almost like the Super Bowl) was stunning.

The Librettists and the Music Composters of all three operas were available after the performances to answer questions. If felt to me a bit like a Q&A with advertising agency creative directors and copywriters/account managers.  

Million Dollar Quartet 1956

 

Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash at Sun Studios recording in 1956. 

My friend and theater critic Mark Bretz encouraged me to see this holiday version of the time when music was evolving into that time when we wanted to shake, rattle and roll. The confluence of these four legendary performers meeting in Memphis on December 4, 1956 is fun to imagine as the actors played and performed at the Rep Theater. 

It's a Sunday in Saint Louis (December 14, 2024) and this mid day matinee show at the Repertory Theater of Saint Louis, for me, is more uplifting than spending the day in church.

 

Art Work

 Art Work

Everyone is an artist;

Or so says the teacher;

The object is to become a better artist;

At the risk of sounding like a preacher.

Van Gogh had a lust for life;

In spite of his mental health;

Ultimately succumbing to his strife;

His brother and the market could not generate a timely wealth.

Perhaps Picasso is the greatest of all time;

The GOAT takes his rightful place;

The art world concurs with Gertrude Stein;

Wherever he puts eyes and nose on a face.

Popular culture by Andy;

The things we see and do every day;

In a gallery contest – it’s a dandy;

See the ordinary in a different way,

Super real, surreal, sublime,

Salvador can blow your mind;

Dali curling his trademark mustache;

An enduring style that is sure to last.

Abstract, color field, contemporary, Haring, Banksy, Basquiat;

On display for all to admire or eschew.

Graffiti is an origin – believe it or not;

You can decide if it appeals to you.

What will you do and how?

Study, imitate, or break new ground;

What will be the next new thing now?

Practice and work your process for what may be found.

Monet - Water Lillies at Saint Louis Art Museum

PBIS OLD NORTH

 

Classroom Management

Recommendations for Old North Academy

Wesley A Morgan (Art Teacher)

This is a response to Assistant Principal, Ms. Todd’s request for input on Classroom Management. I’m encouraged that the administration is asking for input from teachers and staff. The overall atmosphere in the classroom must be a positive one and one that allows our learners to become scholars in earnest. My input is relative to my 10 years as an educator (SPED and Art) and informed by my first year as an Art Teacher at Old North Academy (2023-2024).

I’m not a fan of rules for the sake of rules. I am however, in favor of treating each other as we expect to be treated (The Golden Rule).

My two cents:

1. Let’s reinforce our PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) pillars of Respect, Responsibility and Safety (Each of these areas represent ways that make our commitment to TEACHING and LEARNING truly a credible statement of our WHY.

2. Respect for each other includes iron clad rule of NO BULLYING under any circumstance. This would include name-calling, teasing, social media, pushing and shoving, Let’s note strongly that horseplay and “play fighting” can lead to bad feelings and cause escalation in some. Let’s get in the habit of saying we are sorry to our teachers, staff and our classmates when we show any kind of disrespect (real or perceived).

3. Responsibility includes showing up on time and with an eagerness to work. Let’s recognize students that help out in the classroom and in public spaces. Let’s honor those who manage to arrive on time and use their time wisely while in school.

4. Safety might be the most important pillar of our PBIS program. Accidents happen and acts of nature happen. We must treat all drills with a level of thoroughness that makes sure everyone involved understands the safety is paramount. Intruder Drills, Fire Drills, Tornado Drills of course are critical but let’s remember that danger is everywhere. The school grounds and adjacent areas must be safe from all potential harm.

Classroom routines assure the best chance of managing an orderly learning environment. Specials and dedicated content area concentrations must be opportunities to grow as human beings (teachers, staff and students), Let’s consider a culture of helpful assistance, It is no secret that behaviors are minimized when students in smaller groups have adequate adult supervision. Specials with 20+ kids can create an opportunity for play and poor choices. Let’s lower the numbers or at least increase the adult to student ratios. 

PHOTOS - Just blocks away from Old North Academy are some sad buildings unused, abandoned or in disrepair. A view down the main hallway showing what students and visitors see inside,

 

Plein Air Old North

 

Sarah Lorentz said she planned to paint Saturday August 24, 2024 while the Old North Saint Louis Chess Club played matches in the Chess Pocket Park near 2711 14th Street. Sure enough, at 8:00 a. m. Sarah parked her Crown Victoria on 14th and greeted Jeffrey Zollmer as the chess clubbers set up tents, sign-in table and prepared for competition. 

Sarah had already prepared her oil pallet with an array of colors. Quickly observing angles she sketched a strategy for her composition on her cradle frame wood plane. She began painting almost instantly. She made a quick course correction as she noted the intensity of two players facing off over a chess board. That match turned out to be a draw. 

Capturing the environment and details such as background green space and large mural on a wall, her composition took shape. She worked her canvas for more than 3 hours. Sarah made time to visit (with me) the Saturday opening of Central Print at 11 a.m. I pointed out the bandstand plaza across from Crown Candy and the future headquarters of the Old North Restoration Group and the windows of the US International Foods location. 

   

The day was sunny and warm. There was a a lot of activity in the neighborhood. Instructional coach Wells said hello and introduced me to her husband Isaiah. I was able to visit the home on Saint Louis Avenue of Juan William Chavez and chatted with his partner about their workshop for SLPS teachers with indigenous people about climate, land and varieties of bees. I kept an appointment with Central Print to produce my artful holiday greeting card. 

Needless to say, it was a full, fun and productive Saturday. 

By Saturday September 21, 2024 the painting will be on display in the window at Central Print. The artist will sell it for $450.00. Old North will be busy on Saturday with house tours, an art fair and music on the plaza across from Crown Candy. The Saint Louis Old North Chess Club will be at the Chess Pocket Park off of 14th street.