Paul Stankard Inspired Thoughts

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I visited the Akron Art Museum in Ohio with my mother. I enjoyed a few favorite art pieces, but the artwork that stood out the most was the glass sculpture of Paul Stankard (American. Attleboro, Massachusetts, 1943 - ). His work shows, what looks like real miniature flora and fauna, but is actually glass flora and fauna suspended in the center of glass sculpture (see picture below). I watched a video on Paul’s history and his struggle through school as an undiagnosed dyslexic. I thought what a powerful message and gift. Here is a man, who is not “perfect” in our cultures standards, but still, found his calling and purpose in life: transforming people’s lives through his glass art. What is considered a hindrance in our world was used to lead Paul to his purpose.  This made me think more about how each one of us has different strengths and weaknesses, quirks, insights, and struggles.

MORNING GLORY , 1984 Glass

When employers look for a new employee, there seems to be a cookie cutter list they are looking to find. What if, instead of trying to find someone “perfect,” that fits every single desire, employers broadened their horizons, looking for someone who can bring something unique unto themselves to the table but are capable of growing in their weakest areas. You will never find someone “perfect” who has, and does everything in a set standard. If you look at the whole person, the unique, creative side of someone, you may find the perfect, imperfect treasure. This is true to every area of our life in both professional and personal relationships.

Paul’s story and glass art is encouraging and inspirational to me, and I hope for you as well. Stankard currently lives and works in Mantua, New Jersey.

Where Are the Senior Arts Managers?

Bravo to Michael Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, for his recent article titled, Where Are the Senior Arts Managers?

As a young art administrator and passionate for the arts, I appreciate his essay which addresses art organizations looking to hire, but not looking among the many of us in the younger, passionate, less "experienced" generation. 

Kaiser notes,

Hiring a younger manager is certainly risky. If one has never worked with donors of great wealth, managed a large staff, produced multiple events in a short period of time, worked with unions, etc., entering a major organization in the top position requires a quick trip down a steep learning curve. But hiring older managers with a string of failures on their resumes and lots of excuses about why each engagement didn't work out is also fraught with risk. Why will this engagement turn out any better?

You can read the rest of the article at the Huffington Post.

Why not find a unique gift for loved ones

Instead of sales goals I would have rejection goals. If I didn't get rejected enough, I wasn't trying. 

~ Robert Hammond, co-founder of Friends of the Highline  

Creativity and the Arts are Here to Stay

October 8, 2012

The one thing that has overwhelmed me, in a good way, in my job search is discovering other art organizations across the country I did not know existed. Discovering new art museums, performing art centers, and various other art organizations is a testimony to the transforming power of arts and creativity. The arts will never fade to the side – no matter what happens in the world. As human beings, we express ourselves from our deepest center, and that expression naturally comes through creativity and the arts. Creativity is a part of our humanity. Whether we are being creative on the stage, through a painting, or behind the scenes of running an art organization, creativity comes naturally and is vital to our existence. Wherever you find yourself, look around you and explore the creativity and art. It's here to stay.