Tom Robbins' Legacy: Making Creative Connections
Photo of Teaching Artist Don Wesley with the class of 1st Graders he worked with during MoNA’s second Creative Connections workshop. Photo credit: Timathi Fitzpatrick
MoNA is deeply honored to steward Tom Robbins’ generous investment in the creative futures of our community’s youth. The program he helped initiate through The Tom and Alexa Robbins Fund for Youth Education officially launched in late February, just a couple weeks after his passing on February 9th. The program is called Creative Connections and is designed to connect classroom educators with MoNA Teaching Artists, who share their media and expertise with students via hands-on art lessons.
After building a roster of eight talented MoNA Teaching Artists, spanning a diverse range of media and experience, the program’s first classroom visit occurred on February 20th. For this first lesson, Teaching Artist Lauren Grund worked in collaboration with Elizabeth Ritter, an educator in Anacortes, to artistically augment the 3rd graders’ study of frogs.
Elizabeth enumerated the many benefits of the experience for both her students and herself as an educator, including: vocabulary connections with math and frogs, art techniques, engagement with current curriculum, clear lesson plans, interesting use of art materials, and the opportunity to work with an artist. Lauren articulated the benefit for both herself as an Teaching Artist and the true beneficiaries: the students. This was an amazing opportunity for me and above all, the children. Their excitement and frustrations were expressed through the art they created. She also shared about the powerful meaning of doing work supported by The Tom and Alexa Robbins Fund for Youth Education: As I was driving out to Fildago Elementary I thought about how Tom and Alexa’s wishes are on my team and I felt like I could do anything! His books were like candy to me as a young artist and some of the first that helped open the door that being different was okay. Another MoNA Teaching Artist, Don Wesley commented on the potent connection between Tom’s vision and the Creative Connections program: How powerful to know our program is an extension of his legacy.
Creative Connections is the most recent manifestation of a long history of dedicated support from Tom and Alexa. Upon hearing details of the first classroom lesson, Alexa articulated the poignancy of the timing: I’m deeply grateful that this program has begun. It could not have come at a better time. It warms my heart to know that Tom’s loving legacy is continuing in the world.
MoNA extends our heartfelt gratitude to Tom and Alexa Robbins, as well as all of MoNA’s members and supporters that play an essential part in the important work of honoring Tom’s beautiful and generous legacy!
Photo from MoNA’s first Creative Connections lesson, led by Teaching Artist Lauren Grund for 3rd graders at Fidalgo Elementary. The lesson was created in collaboration with the classroom teacher to augment the class’ study of frogs. Photo credit: Lauren Grund