Skype and Coffee by the Sea of Marmara

Sometimes life takes unexpected journeys.  In 1979 I headed to Kansas State University as a creative young girl who was determined to be a fashion designer. I followed that journey through a successful college career.  Even won a design competition beating students from FIT in New York City.  Boy, was that fun! Then I headed to Paris, France and attended Boston University's summer program at The Paris Fashion Institute.  That led me to Dallas and a job with a better women's wear company.  I worked as a designer for awhile...but soon found myself married, had three beautiful children, and my life's focus changed-I was a mom. I walked into a school one day where my son had just started school and I had one of those moment we just don't forget. I heard a voice inside of my head.  I heard "this is what I want to do. This is where I need to be." That began another one of those journeys.  And 23 years later that journey is still happening! Over the years . . .

Welcome to the new Blogging home of Trina Harlow, 2014 Fund for Teachers Fellow. Mrs. Harlow writes two blogs, but they will be migrated to this one.  Please check back frequently because very soon this Blog will be eARThshakingly awesome!

The Worldwide Color Wheel Project is a growing student-based art education phenomenon! I would love for you to join the project! It's simple and easy! Students create art inspired by the color wheel (No teaching posters!) and share it with students in another community or country using social or virtual media such as Skype. Everyday more and more components are being added to the project.  This Blog is fairly new and it will be developed more with some time.  For now, however, please view the following web links related to the Worldwide Color Wheel Project and email worldwidecolorwheel@gmail.com to get started on the project with your students!

1.  Until this Blog is completely updated and other posts are migrated here, please view the original web page for the project:  www.tinyurl.com/crazycolorfulcolorwheel

2.  Read more about the project (until this Blog is more fully developed) and other projects at:  www.eARThshakingartteacher.blogspot.com.

3.  Go to Skype in the Classroom: Worldwide Color Wheel Project  or at https://education.skype.com/projects/6322-art-worldwide-color-wheel-project

4.  View our Facebook Page at Worldwide Color Wheel Project or at https://www.facebook.com/worldwidecolorwheel

5.  Follow us on Twitter at worldwidecwp or at https://twitter.com/WorldwideCWP

6.  Follow us on Instagram at worldwidecwp

7.  Read about us in School Arts Magazine, page 12:

http://www.schoolartsdigital.com/i/271882/42

8.  Read about us on the SchoolArtsRoom Blog:

http://www.schoolartsroom.com/2014/04/the-world-wide-color-wheel-project.html

9.  See a GREAT You Tube video about the project: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ8ASn8o8hs

10.  Send an email to worldwidecolorwheel@gmail.com.

11.  All program files will be shared with educators via Drop Box.

Most importantly, join the Worldwide Color Wheel Project! Students will be engaged in higher-level thinking, holistic learning, logical and sequential thinking, 21st century learning partnered with art education, and besides that.....it is really FUN! Fun is important in education!

The Worldwide Color Wheel Project

The Worldwide Color Wheel Project was created in 2012 by Trina Harlow, art teacher, at Folsom Elementary School in Prosper, Texas. The project's goal is to color the globe, one student at a time using art and technology. These are some of the first Worldwide Color Wheel Projects.  The project was also shared with The American School of Monterrey, Mexico and art teacher Barbara Martinez.  Harlow and Martinez's students Skyped and shared their efforts. It was a meaningful experience for both students and teachers. The project is growing and changing and has recently added a humanitarian aspect as well. Art has the ability to cross borders and boundaries.  Art has the ability to unite people groups, cultures, and customs.  Art has the ability to heal. Art has the ability to spread joy.

Tiny Boxes

  

(This Blog post was migrated here from another Blog I maintained.)  

 About ten years ago I started collecting tiny boxes. I'm not sure exactly why. I was drawn to their size when traveling; they were easy to get home. I was drawn to their color and design; bright colors and trinkets always catch my eyes. I was drawn to their craftsmanship. And I was also drawn to their stories. They each had a story when I bought them or when they were given to me as a gift. (My family and friends now bring me tiny boxes when they go somewhere, too.)  They each also gained a new story when they became mine. In so many ways,  my tiny box collection is so representative of my life, of teaching,  of the future. The stories of our life, while they may seem tiny, when woven together become a large, beautiful tapestry. The fibers of our lives are woven together making the tapestry have even more meaning. 

     I have boxes from Alaska, Mexico, Ecuador, Jamacia, England, Italy, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Hawaii, Grand Cayman, Fanning Island, Denmark, Russia, Switzerland, Vatican City, The Netherlands, Germany, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Columbia, Nicaragua, and more exotic places like main street in Lawrence, Kansas (a beautiful hand made wood box by a local woodworker), San Antonio, TX,  Florida, and quite a few other places. And, they all sit in my living room on a very special Ralli Quilt made by my friends Surrendar and Naina from Pakistan. 

     The important thing about the boxes isn't that I have them, or what they look like, but the story behind them. The relationships that developed between myself and friends I made where I was when I purchased them, or where my family or friends were and the relationships they made while they were where they purchased the tiny box for me. They remind me of important friendships. These tiny boxes are near and dear to my heart. When I started collecting them ten years ago I never had any idea how much they would eventually mean to me. While they are each beautiful pieces of art, they are symbolic of that ever so important human connection we must have in this life. 

"We don't accomplish anything in this world alone . . . and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weaving of individual threads that form one to another that create something."-Sandra Day O'Connor