It takes many dedicated, hard-working and talented people to keep the bus on the road. The Arts Bus Project is particularly fortunate to have recruited an exceptional roster of artists, who bring their individual talents and skills to our programming. Take a look:
Patty Ackley Warlick
Patty Akley-Warlick MA DTR has been teaching Music, Dance and Theater Arts in Vermont for over 30 years. She has spent the last ten years working as an Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, as a Dance/Movement Therapist, for Health Care and Rehabilitation Services in Hartford VT. Patty has performed with local children by doing many “In School” residencies, bringing original music, songs and choreography, which are then made into theatrical pieces with the children’s input, and talent. Some of the shows created have been, FREE TO BE A FAMILY, SOL TO SOUL, SEEDS OF POSITIVITY, YOU GOTTA HAVE A DREAM, SEEDS OF CHANGE, SEEDS OF PEACE, AND SEEDS. Patty and her husband Louis have three adult daughters and run Peak Pond Trout Farm together in Randolph Center Vermont.
Heather DeLeone
Heather DeLeone of Williamstown is a 2000 graduate of Skidmore College with a B.S. in Studio Art, and a 2003 graduate of Goddard College with an M.A. in Education (concentration: Art Education). She has taught drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, fiber arts and ceramics, and currently teaches art at St. Monica's School in Barre, and pottery at the White River Craft Center in Randolph.
Barbara Gassner
Barbara Gassner focuses her professional artistic energies through a variety if creative media, with populations living in poverty. Her personal artistic expression is in the areas of life drawing and mandala design, and she also writes poetry, essays and short stories. A strong believer in the power of humor, compassion and curiosity, Barbara regularly invites her students into encounters with those three powerful muses.
Jennie Harriman
Jennie Harriman of Tunbridge owns and operates Art With Jennie, through which she offers art classes to early childhood centers, preschools, home-school groups, private homes, community centers, festivals and special education groups. She is also a professional photographer. Jennie earned an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education form Goddard College, and has been teaching for 17 years. She brings an open-ended, individualized, creativity-driven practice to all her classes.
Sarah Matzke
Sarah Kathleen Matzke loves working with youth and theater. Sarah graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2000 with a BFA in Theater, and has worked as a carpenter, production manager, scenic artist, set designer, technical director, tour manager, stage manager, director, actor, sound and light designer, and everything in between for professional and touring companies all over the United States. After settling into teaching in 2009, she relocated to Vermont where she currently works with SafeArt as the Teen Ensemble Director and is thrilled to be a Guest Artist with the Arts Bus.
Barry Miller
Barry Miller graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in Textile Design. A resident of Randolph, he has taught Creative Arts in Boston, New York and Vermont, with an emphasis on combining the visual arts with sound and music. He offers classes in Drumming, Drum and Chime Making, Music for Movement and Saxophone. His teaching focus is on working with special needs kids, but he does work with all interested kids and adults. For more information contact Barry directly at: 802-728-2055.
Erica Sears
Erica K. (Partington) Sears is a multi-media artist who loves to create art with just about anything. She is inspired by The Earth and Her cycles, the human form, children, books, music, having fun and getting dirty. Graduating from Randolph Union High School in Randolph Vermont, Erica went on to California and received her B.F.A. in Fine Arts, from Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design in 1989. She loves to create art with children, and doing art with her son is one of the best parts of her day. Growing up in Randolph, Vermont was a wonderful experience for Erica. "Back then the community only had a small amount of art available for the children during the summer. I have been a part of the idea of The Art Bus for some time now; it is a cycle completed to actually be an artist on the bus, and to be able to be do art with the children of Randolph and surrounding communities. I am grateful to be able to share my love and need to make art. Namaste - Erica " Erica makes her home in Randolph, Vermont with her husband, Ian and their son Avery. Erica can be reached via erica@ericasears.com. Her website is currently under construction and will be up and running soon.
Sequana Skye
Sequana Skye is a multi-faceted, multi-passionate artist. She earned her RN degree several decades ago and the bulk of her nursing practice has been in Maternal-Child health, working for several years at Washington County, NY Public Health and helping to guide and support families in Labor and Delivery at various hospitals. She’s also a writer, actor and director with experience in stage productions in various venues, primarily in and around Albany, Saratoga and Cambridge, NY. She’s currently a graduate student at Goddard College, Plainfield VT, in the MFA-IA program: learning, practicing and experimenting in storytelling for stage and film. Sequana is delighted and honored to be an invited member of the Arts Bus team, both as a Guest Artist as well as an instructor in the Creativity Training program.
Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith is a musician and educator based in central Vermont. Teaching English at Vermont Technical College, Chris writes about music for local and regional publications, and has performed as a vocalist with a number of choruses. He is currently pursuing a dissertation about building community through music, and his first collection of original solo music came out in May of 2011. He posts album reviews and notes on culture on his blog, www.commontimevt.blogspot.com, and compiles his creative output-- including music, poetry, and nonfiction-- at www.smithforecast.com.
Eva Zimet
Eva Zimet, the owner of Contact Mediation (a conflict resolution service), received her MFA degree in Writing and Film Directing from Columbia University. She has interdisciplinary experience as a mediator, coach, artist and yoga teacher. Eva and her family enjoy working with the paper arts, including origami, mobiles, wet paper sculpting and paper cutting.
-BOARD OF DIRECTORS-
Judith Flint, who has a B.A. in Education from Castleton College, has been the Youth Services Librarian at Kimball Public Library since 2002. A resident of Braintree, Judith is very involved in several community action programs in the Randolph area, including the Early Literacy Initiative for Vermont, and the Prevention Partnership of Braintree, Brookfield and Randolph. She also serves on the Advisory Council for Children's Services of the Vermont Department of Libraries. Judith is a driving force in the region behind extending educational and support services to home child care centers, and helps shape the Arts Bus programming for this key population.
Nancy Frenette (Vice-Chair) of Braintree is the principal of the Braintree Elementary School. Her longevity marks 10 years and counting. She has a B.A. from Johnson State Teacher's College and a M.Ed from UMASS at Amherst. As principal Nancy wants to be sure that she, the community, families and staff all share the same vision for the children of Braintree - a comprehensive education that empowers them to be critical and creative thinkers - and that her students develop the skills necessary to be responsible and respectful citizens in their community. Braintree Elementary, she says, "represents who I am as an educator, an administrator and most importantly as a learner. I believe my passion for working with children was developed early on in my life. I traveled the globe with the People to People Student Ambassador program and was able to imbed those learning opportunities to my everyday teaching. There is a creative side to me and I love to work with color through weaving, knitting, rug punching, watercolors and photography. When I need to fill my other passion for nature and the outdoors, I ski, kayak, walk and sit by a river to hear mother nature talking with me." Nancy is the Arts Bus Project's liaison to the other participating schools and to the Orange Southeast Supervisory Union.
Amy Grasmick (Treasurer) of Braintree has been the director of the Kimball Public Library since 2001. Her responsibilities include the management of the Library's staff, collections, programs, facility and finances, in accordance with the policies set by the Board of Trustees. During her tenure she has maintained existing partnerships with local organizations and developed new ones, helping to leverage resources and extend the reach of literacy and arts education in the local community. Partners include Chandler Music Hall, The Boys and Girls Club of the White River Valley, the Randolph Area Senior Center, the schools of Orange Southwest Supervisory Union, the White River Craft Center, and Vermont Technical College. A recent collaboration with Chandler Music Hall, "Tales, Tunes and Tots", provides a rich experience in storytelling, handicrafts, and music for preschoolers. Such programming depends on Amy's successful solicitation and management of grant support. In addition to overseeing the Arts Bus Project's finances as treasurer of the Board, Amy focuses on strengthening the Bus's literacy curriculum.
Kevin D. Harty of Randolph is the executive director of the White River Craft Center, Randolph, which he also co-founded. Kevin has a B.A. in Geography from the University of South Florida and received certification in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Throughout his career as an art teacher and counselor, Kevin has worked with at-risk youth, providing guidance as an art teacher, one-on-one support and direction on self-development issues and now at the White River Craft Center vocational training. Kevin is an accomplished woodworker and historic restoration specialist. In his off time, he enjoys reading, hiking, cross-country skiing, camping, gardening, cooking and travel. In 2010 he received the Tikkum Olam Award from the Bethany Church, Randolph, for his work with at-risk kids. Kevin keeps the Arts Bus Project in touch with ways to give creative support to youth with special needs.
Tony Keller (Chair), a graduate of Harvard (B.A.) and Columbia (M.A.), retired to Vermont in 2001 after 35 years as an arts administrator, (executive director of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford, CT., and staff and consultant jobs with National Educational Television, The Rockefeller Foundation, The Presidential Task Force on the Arts and Humanities, The National Endowment for the Arts, and the Institute for Community Research), writer, editor and lecturer. A member of the board of Chandler Center for the Arts, he chairs Chandler's future planning team and, in 2007, produced the 9-hour centennial celebration production "101 Premieres". Tony helped to create the Arts Bus Project in 2008, and has guided the development of its program and board, and is now focused on securing its future through fundraising and establishing strong community and regional partnerships.
Tim Rollings began his responsibilities as Director of the Boys and Girls Club of the White River Valley in September 2011. Prior to relocating to the Upper Valley, Tim served a number of associations as a YMCA career professional. He and spouse Nan are parents of twin adult sons, both of whom live in the Boston area. Tim is an active exerciser and is eager to see the "Club" be a responsive and collaborative partner in serving area young people.
Arts Bus Project Director
Cynthia Lou Sandusky received her M.A. in Behavioral Arts and Sciences, and has been a Clinical Psychotherapist and counseling center supervisor, specializing in children's wellness, women's issues, domestic violence and crisis intervention. She is also a specialist in technical theater, a writer and visual artist. She has run a number of businesses, owned and operated a gourmet chocolate store, and is the founder of a non-profit organization for animal welfare. Cynthia extends her love of artistic expression to her gardens and enjoys hiking, reading, cooking (especially with chocolate!), and fostering homeless dogs for a local rescue organization. She owns the on-line business, Mountain Snows, (an outlet for her hand-crafted Buddhist prayer beads).
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Arts Bus Project actively recruits college interns for summer positions. We offer students a living (and very lively!) field “laboratory”, where they can observe children getting in touch with their creative instincts, providing an opportunity to study the nature of creative engagement in early childhood.
The Arts Bus offers Internship opportunities in the
following areas:
On-board Assistant and Artist
· Work directly with children and parents in arts activities
· Assist guest artists in planned activities
· Create and present art activities (visual, music, theater, dance, etc.)
· Help plan curriculum and participate in program evaluations
Assistant and Trainer for Creativity Training Program
· Assist guest trainers in presenting creativity workshops to child-care providers and parents
· Create and present a workshop
· Help plan curriculum and participate in program evaluations
Administrative Assistant (part-time)
· Help plan calendar and oversee scheduling of artists and venues
· Work directly with venue contacts to assure smooth execution of scheduling
· Help draft and submit grant proposal
· Help develop a summer fundraising event
· Attend board meetings and make presentations
· Recruit volunteers and process background checks
· Coordinate season-end evaluations
A student can choose one area of study, or elect to participate in all areas.
The Arts Bus offers Internship opportunities in the
following areas:
On-board Assistant and Artist
· Work directly with children and parents in arts activities
· Assist guest artists in planned activities
· Create and present art activities (visual, music, theater, dance, etc.)
· Help plan curriculum and participate in program evaluations
Assistant and Trainer for Creativity Training Program
· Assist guest trainers in presenting creativity workshops to child-care providers and parents
· Create and present a workshop
· Help plan curriculum and participate in program evaluations
Administrative Assistant (part-time)
· Help plan calendar and oversee scheduling of artists and venues
· Work directly with venue contacts to assure smooth execution of scheduling
· Help draft and submit grant proposal
· Help develop a summer fundraising event
· Attend board meetings and make presentations
· Recruit volunteers and process background checks
· Coordinate season-end evaluations
A student can choose one area of study, or elect to participate in all areas.
Qualities we look for in an intern: The Arts Bus Project is looking for energetic interns who enjoy doing something different everyday and relish thinking outside the box! Flexibility and an ability to think on one’s feet are essential, as well as a flair for multi-tasking. Most of all, we look for interns who would enjoy working with young children and their parents. A major in Early Childhood Development, Art and/or Theater studies, or Non-Profit Management would best fit this position, but we are open to others. The internship begins in the latter part of May, and runs through June, July and August. The internship is non-paid; however there are many opportunities to receive excellent, practical experience. Housing options supplied upon request. Contact Cynthia Sandusky at: artsbus@Chandler-arts.org, for more information.
2012 Interns
Willow Griffith
Willow is a third year BA student at Goddard College, Vermont, and is
enrolled in the education program, with a focus of Community Education. Her
interests lie in community programs and organizations, and their educational
function, play and place-based education, as well as their values and function
of sustainability in programs, groups and environments. With a background in theater and music, and her previous academic focus of music therapy (Willow studied psychology and music at Bard College), Willow feels that the Arts Bus Project emulates many of the areas she has been, and wishes to be, involved with. Willow is currently interning with the Arts Bus Drama Club, aswell as learning about non-profit management, grant writing and network
building.
enrolled in the education program, with a focus of Community Education. Her
interests lie in community programs and organizations, and their educational
function, play and place-based education, as well as their values and function
of sustainability in programs, groups and environments. With a background in theater and music, and her previous academic focus of music therapy (Willow studied psychology and music at Bard College), Willow feels that the Arts Bus Project emulates many of the areas she has been, and wishes to be, involved with. Willow is currently interning with the Arts Bus Drama Club, aswell as learning about non-profit management, grant writing and network
building.
2011 InternsMallory Roark
For the 2011 Season, the Arts Bus was very pleased to have on board Mallie Roark, who is now a senior Art Major at Mt. Holyoke College. Mallie is originally from Texas, and enjoys listening to music, traveling and meeting new people. Upon graduation she would like to go into the field of Art Therapy. "I enjoy art," says Mallie, "because I believe it releases people's true character."
| 2010 Interns
Lauren (Luna) Frith
For the Arts Bus 2010 pilot season, we were most fortunate to have as our first intern, Luna. A student from Mt. Holyoke College, Luna brought with her tremendous energy, intelligence, imagination and compassion. She demonstrated a remarkable capacity to connect with the children who visited the Bus, and was well-loved by all participants. Luna says that her summer on the bus was a "life-changing" experience, and helped her to set new future professional plans. Luna graduated in December of 2011, and is now working with children with autism.
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The Arts Bus Project / c/o Kimball Public Library, 67 Main Street, Randolph, VT 05060 / 802-728-5073 / artsbus@Chandler-arts.org