Recently, I was elected Board President of Mosaic of North Central Wisconsin. I joined Mosaic’s board last year during an open call for Board Members. As someone who interacts with multiple audiences in my museum role, inclusion and accessibility are important aspects of what I do. They are also deeply rooted in Mosaic’s mission, to foster a strong sense of belonging for individuals living and working in the north central Wisconsin community.
Last week, Woodson Art Museum staff members participated in the second annual Connecting Communities Conference organized by Mosaic at UW-Stevens Point at Wausau. Alton “Sonny” Smart was the keynote speaker. He spoke about maintaining balance through mind, body, and spirit, and shared stories about his connections to Native cultures and communities. Participants also learned the basic steps of a ceremonial dance, including the song, movements, and instruments. Through the lens of allyship–this year’s conference theme–Sonny exemplified how individuals in our community can support and uplift one another, no matter our differences.
Mosaic Conference Keynote Speaker Alton “Sonny” Smart
Participating on the conference planning committee, attending the conference, and representing Mosaic’s Board of Directors during this year’s conference weren’t the only professional development experiences in store for me in the past couple of weeks.
Museum educator Emily Wesenick and I attended the biannual SPARK! conference just a couple of days ago at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend (MOWA) alongside fellow SPARK! alliance members from across the country. The Woodson Art Museum was one of the five founding institutions that established SPARK!, a cultural engagement program for individuals with memory loss and their care partners. Conference days at MOWA were filled with building connections to organizations that offer SPARK!, generating program ideas, and sharing resources.
Hands-on activities presented during these sessions engaged many senses, an important aspect of the SPARK! program. There were poetry activities, art projects, dancing, collaborative art-making, storytelling, movement, and singing–participants even sang a group rendition of “I Am a Rock” by Simon and Garfunkel. Emily and I presented a session where participants learned about the Woodson Art Museum and had the chance to make their own funky, feathered friend inspired by the Museum’s collection.
SPARK! conference participants during Woodson Art Museum session
SPARK! conference participants during Woodson Art Museum session
During the SPARK! conference, I also shared the Woodson Art Museum’s strong history of collaborating with visiting artists to offer programs that center accessible visual arts experiences for all types of audiences. After the conference, I’ll return to the Museum to facilitate a short residency with Spencer Tinkham, who will work with our SPARK! and Art Beyond Sight audiences this week through November 20. Spencer is also offering a Wooden Bird Silhouette Workshop on Sunday, November 17th. Learn more here.
Spencer Tinkham with his 2024 Birds in Art artwork
While I’m still wrapping my head around the flurry of ideas and resources gained from both recent conference experiences, I am eager to share fresh perspectives with our audiences and continue creating valuable art experiences for all.
