Danvers High School contacted me with a request that I paint a Japanese parasol for a worthy cause. As a retired high school art teacher, how could I say “No”? In fact, I couldn’t stop at one, and painted two! Leafy Boughs is a delicate green on green design of leaves spiraling on meandering branches, and Dahlias is a spray of pastel colored dahlias across the edge of the parasol. Here is the information about the auction from one of the teachers at Danvers High School:
The Parasols will be on display at the Danvers Art Association at 105 Elliott Street on March 28th from 6:30 until 8:30 PM and March 29th from 4:00 until 6:00 PM. They will also be displayed at the Danvers High School Showcase on April 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00.
Danvers High School has a very robust program that allows students to experience all of the social, emotional, and intellectual benefits of international travel on an almost yearly basis. I myself have been a chaperone on several of these trips and the group leader on one, and I have been able to see the life changing experiences happening first-hand.
But being a special educator, I noticed that almost none of my students have been on these trips. My tour partner Nick Martinez, a fellow special educator at the high school, and I discussed organizing trips that would attempt to mitigate some of the obstacles that might prevent students with disabilities, historically underrepresented students, and students from low income homes from taking advantage of these wonderful traveling opportunities during high school. This is where you come in.
About the Trip:
We will be going to Japan during April Vacation week in 2025. The trip is an educational trip, which means that students will not only be visiting the tourist attractions that are on everyone’s bucket lists but also taking part in wonderful, culturally enriching activities with local experts. During past trips these have been the experiences the students have not been able to stop talking about. Yes, the tourist attractions are fun, but getting to know locals is priceless.
Request:
We would like to ask you to bid freely on these unique pieces of art created by both local professional artists and students and teachers going on the trip. You will be enriching our community by allowing all students the opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience beyond the town limits. These students will come back to Danvers richer in experience and further along on their way to becoming global citizens.
