From: Nancy Hines Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2006 10:13 PM Dearest Arts in the Making Volunteers and Friends, We have now finished our second Sunday at A New Day in Albuquerque with teens who are for whatever reasons considered homeless. What we could really say after just a few hours at A New Day is we are all richer because we have shared time together doing art. Especially us volunteers. Artists who have never taught, but wanted to share their love of hand built pottery and jewelry making came to A New Day and brought their wares and their love of art. The first Sunday there were 11 eager teens waiting for us to begin…3 girls and 8 boys. Today we actually started 10 minutes early because the six boys couldn’t wait. To witness the beauty of what happens in this space is such a gift. What we see is everyone sharing their love for beauty and harmony and for texture and colors coming together and working to make something with their hands that will go beyond these afternoons. Although Mother’s Day was never mentioned, many of these children were focused on their families. Many made small pottery gifts for their mothers last week. And Cate Clark took their pieces home and fired them quickly so we could give them back today…ready for giving. Thank you again, Cate. Today, many of the boys made gifts for others with the jewelry supplies Teresa Jones brought. Necklaces for moms, bracelets for girlfriends and then masculine, beauti- fully designed jewelry for themselves. With the expert help of Teresa and Lynne Kinis, everyone got clasps done quickly. What is striking is how often these children worked through their own frustrations to finish. None gave up or quit in the middle of their clay or bead projects. When the pottery was more than she could handle, Cortney rolled the dough thinner and cut out hearts and moons and star to make a delicate mobile. Another girl just sat for the longest time. Then she unfolded her arms and made a bridge with her clay. And she left smiling. Today, we watched the boys take out beads, change their minds, put back beads, start over, and then start over again. Yet, there was never a discouraging comment or sigh. Everyone just kept going right up to 4 PM. Evelyn, the staff manager, told us many of the teens had had difficulties these last few days, but there was nothing difficult about anyone around the tables. She was amazed how focused and quiet the boys were. This is an appreciative, eager, and creative group of children just waiting to express themselves with us…and we with them. So where next? Karen Anderson, Director of Education at A New Day, has given us the name of another shelter similar to A New Day in Santa Fe and they are expecting our call. We’ll be meeting with them in a few weeks to line up a program in July. Cate Clark is putting the word out in Santa Fe this evening among her artist friends there and Teresa and Lynne have already volunteered to go with me to Santa Fe to offer a beading workshop. Thank you all for your support and encouragement. And thank you, Jozef, for wanting to bring this project to New Mexico. Arts in the Making is now here! Nancie Hines nancie@sierradove.org Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico To find out more about Arts in the Making, which includes experiential workshops in visual arts, music and movement for homeless teens and youth at-risk, a vision of Sierra Dove Global Association, or its Founder and President Jozef Dominguez, please visit us at http://www.sierradove.org/.