Everyone's getting ready!

Facebook is a buzzing with the posts of people getting ready to fly to Vermont for residency. Advisors arrive earlier than students and they too are getting ready. Myself... I'm in NY recuperating from sinusitis in a pre planned trip before residency. That is why I created my packing list early. Jackie says the new class is small this semester. The new groups at winter residency usually are smaller. There are about 10, of which I have only had contact with 2. So if you are reading this and new, give me a shout. You can do it through here or facebook. We will be sure to put you in touch with others before you come.

Our 2011 Winter residency Unofficial Welcoming Committee.

I have asked each of those individuals who are a part of the Unofficial Welcoming Committee to send me a photograph and information about them to put in a flyer. This will be handed out at residency to the new students that come in. That way, you can put a face with a name. Some committee members will give me permission to include their photographs here. So I'll be adding to this post as they come in.

Also a suggestion- Friend these people on Facebook. That way we can chat before residency. Start with me if you like, I'll suggest friends for you- Bridgette Mongeon

Let me start the introductions.

Bridgette Mongeon- Unofficial Welcoming Committee Chair- Vermont-G4

My area of study is sculpting, digital technology and

bridging the gap between the traditional and digital studio. I also have a dual track of creative writing. This semester I'm changing direction and focusing on something I call, "Show Don't Tell." I'll be revising my novel and illustrating my children's books. I'm so excited.

I'm from Texas and work from my studio behind my home. I'm a G4 and this is my last working semester before writing my thesis as a G5, or what we call "portfolio." Guess I'll soon be looking for someone to take my place and keep the welcoming committee going. Oh yes, and this is my blog. If you need me at r

esidency I'm in Kilpatrick 117 though I love to spend evenings at the music room and fire.

If you need a map of the campus I posted about dorms and maps last residency. This will help if you are filling out your application and trying to figure out which dorm to ask for. Ask some of our committee members if they like their dorm. All are different.

Oh yes, I hope to be doing a workshop at residency on marketing in the arts. I hope you will come.

I'll add more committee members as they come in and I have permission to post them.

IF YOU ARE A RETURNING STUDENT and want to be a part of the committee. Here is a post on what it entails and how to get involved.

Mark O'Maley Vermont - G2

Mark O'Maley is a G2 studying the pedagogy of design (art, architecture, and performance) and getting students to see, and "to open eyes". When at Goddard he can be found stealing electricity to light things up in the woods, and hopefully this winter, he will be projecting on and lighting up snow. He honestly can't remember the name of the building where his room is. Mark is originally from Cape Ann, MA, and until June, lives in Philadelphia. He teaches high school and college level design, and his 'professional' d

esign work includes recent shows in New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. He has a lot of ink and is a dyed-in-the-wool Red Sox fan. Oooo I don't remember my room/dorm. I didn't even remember during residency - just knew where it was.

Jeff Rudnick Vermont- G2

Jeff is a G2 studying Art as Vessels for Stories. This includes, pottery, puppets, sculpture, and the art of illuminated text. Jeff likes to explore stories visually and has great interest in tradition and the tradtitions of artisans. You might find him taking hikes in the woods if he is not in his room in Doolin (I think it was #6).

Jeff is from Kentucky. He is the Dean of

Students for Residence Life at Brescia University.

Amanda Wallace Vermont -G5

Hailing from the south, Amanda Wallace returns to Goddard as a G5. Teaching art classes as well as selling her art to various locations keeps her very busy. Amanda is an environmental artist whose speciality is making her own paper and encaustic paints. She is looking forward to finalizing her past works to create her portfolio project.

Sequana Skye, Vermont G3, loves films. When she isn't writing them, she's thinking about them, discussing them (with anyone within earshot), watching them, analyzing them. And lest you think she takes any time off from this passion, she also dreams about them. A lot. She expects to write and direct her own films and create a filmmaking company for, by and about women.

Maryann Donagher, Vermont G4 is a high school ceramic art teacher in Connecticut. Her current MFA studies as a G4 include large-scale, figurative, wood fired sculptures, her personal memoirs integrated with contemporary feminist theory and the archeological discoveries of Marija Gimbutas and her writings of the religion of the goddess civilizations of pre-historic “Old Europe.”



Dana Heffern Vermont G3

Dana has been working as a decorative painter, interior designer, and Broadway scenic artist in New York City for over a decade. She has either painted or lead the painting crews responsible for many of the top selling and Tony awarded scenery on Broadway today. Shows such as Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins, Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, The Lion King, The Color Purple, and Mamma Mia. She has recently moved with her husband to the Burlington area where she is currently working towards her MFA at Goddard College. A United Way 2010 ‘Hometown Hero’ nominee through Spectrum Youth and Family Services, she is working with her mentee and offering guidance as a mentor. Dana is excited about teaching workshops she is involved in at both the BCA and the Flynn Arts.

Looking for pictures of groups from residency

Each semester we break off into study groups. It is hard to get to know the student body by name. This becomes very apparent when you are looking through the schedule and see something exciting but wonder, who is giving that lecture. Or you meet someone at lunch and they are very interesting, but you can't remember their name and then you find out that you missed their presentation.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED- Be creative

I would like to create a bulletin board with pictures of the group pictures.

What I would like to see is:

Study group photographs with advisors- Last semester returning groups including if possible, the names of each person in the group, their G status as they were in this group and possibly their area of study.

The reason the other information is important. It helps people connect. There may be someone who has done your type of study, but you have not met.

also looking for

Study group photographs new advisors- This semester new groups NEED VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE PICTURES.

Photographs of last semesters graduates- labeled

Photographs of this semesters graduates- labeled

Photographs of this semester G5's that will be leaving us upon their return. - labeled.

Candid photographs throughout residency. Add them as you like.

NOTE: these do not have to be just plain group shots. They can be creatively done. Heads around the outer edge of the paper? A choreographed movement? A Norman Rockwell scene? Please just be sure we can see everyone's face. ( Free ice cream social for the group with the best picture! Yeah I know who wants ice cream in winter, and the ice cream is free at school anyhow. )

Also, I am also looking for photographs to add to my personal perpetual learner blog about Goddard. This will be public so if, when you are taking the pictures, can you please ask the group if this photograph can also be posted on a public blog? And then can you please e mail me the pictures at Bridgette ( the at sign) creativesculpture.com If anyone in your group has objected to their photograph being public please let me know who they are, I will photoshop them out.

If you have pictures before residency send them, I'll print them out and get the board going. Those photographs you take at residency feel free to post while there. I will be taking all photographs with me to continue this next residency.

My detailed and growing packing list

Packing List

As promised Here is an updated packing list. Feel free to print it out and use it if you like. I'll be adding to it in the next few days.

SCHOOL/OFFICE SUPPLIES

____ Notebook and or sketchbook for taking notes
____ Lap top computer- Be sure I have
1. backed up everything
2. Have presentation material on there in case I am asked to show my work to my new study group.
3. Am I doing a workshop? Do I have presentation material?
4. Have I been working on a study plan or bib? Do I have that or is it being stored on Student Information System (SIS)?
5. Do I have all contact information SKYPE etc in case I want to chat?
6. Do I have a way to get my e mails (if you own your own website and domain name you may not be able to send messages from campus through your mail browser on your computer. Instead you will have to set up a way to get mail from your server client off of your server.)

____An extra writable CD or two. The help desk also sells these and at two residencies I have needed this.
____ Online camera to video chat with kids, family friends etc.
____ Pen drive and lanyard so that I can take my work off of my computer and bring it to the computer lab to print out. The lab can tell you how to print if off of your lap top, but in case you don't feel like lugging your computer down to the lab.
____ Ethernet cable ( most rooms have one, but I bring one anyway)
____ highlighters- I like to highlight my schedule. that thing will be like an extension of your person for the next week. Organize it in anyway that you like.
____ a couple of post its, in case I need to leave notes on friends or advisers door.

____ Small binder for papers. THis is essential in G1, not so much in the other G's unless you are that type of person. I save everything for when I come home. I used to also take a traveling three ring punch, but now I just go to the lab and punch anything I feel the need to. ALSO NOTE- The Welcoming committee will be having binders from Goddard for those wanting them Pockets and they a re free. If they are available.

____ travel hole punch, but often leave that at home and if I need to punch anything will do so in the computer lab.
____Mouse and mouse pad

____ Camera and charger and case

_____phone and charger

____ business cards

ARTWORK

____ pack pictures, artwork or performance material. Don't forget about Cabaret!

OTHER DORM STUFF

____ Power Strip ( most rooms have one but I bring one just in case)
_____ Grey three prong adapter ( you can rent one at the help desk for a one dollar)
_____Small fan. Each room has a fan. I bring one with me when i travel for white noise.
_____Pretty things- some friends like to decorate their dorms when they come. A poster etc. My Goddard hat is my decoration. However I do like to bring a small towel. I use my suitcase as an end table and I like to have something to cover it.
______Small flash light that doubles as night light on my suitcase end table

______Personal travel humidifier- I bring this in winter

______ Small amount of duct tape- did this by accident one semester. I now duck tape my humidifier to my bedpost and sometimes do the same with the small flashlight.

_______Hangers? I have left so many hangers in the same dorm room each residency I think there will be plenty.

_______ Mattress cover- I know I am a total nerd, and have allergies. So I cover my mattress with a hypoallergenic mattress cover. I must say that recently with the bed bug scare I have ulterior motives for this process.
_______Pillow case cover - again the allergy thing. I will do anything to stay healthy at residency.

_______ WIPES- I heard an advisor doing this and decided with flue season I would do the same. Found some at the drug store. Plan on wiping down the surfaces in my dorm room. I know I am really a nut. You should see me at the salad bar. One person asked me if I was Kosher or something. I'm not sure what that had to do with anything, but it was because I didn't like to touch the prongs on the salad bar without a napkin. Now everyone will be looking at me a bit strange. I am however already going to residency coming of a server case of bronchitis and breathing problems. I will do anything to stay healthy or try at least.

______ tea cup and tea bags. Yes, I am strange but I love my tea cup. I hate drinking out of plastic or paper and in the morning I love to have a cup of tea while I wake. Plus I play my tea cup as an instrument in the music room or fire. I use my dorm room key. I love the sound it makes. Hey if others can play a drawer I can play my tea cup. ( one might notice that it will have a red stain in the bottom at the fire as it is used for wine as well)

______ cork screw. The above post reminded me. If anyone needs one, mental note Kilaptrik Bridgette has one!

______ Snacks. some of these might be left over from the plane, some might be from the store and others from the cafeteria. But I like to have something in my room to offer guests and munch on.

______I now pack a plastic tea bag holder as well. In the shape of a tea pot!

_____ Plastic bag to put dirty clothes in

_____ Some detergent to wash dirty clothes. I always wash on wednesday.

_____ Bag used to go to the bathroom carry towel, toiletries etc.

______FLIP FLOPS FOR SHOWER

______ Extra towel- They provide one prickly one. I like my own. I also put their towel over my radiator in my dorm room at night, wet of course, to give me more moisture in the room.

_____ Face towel and wash cloth

___ Housecoat or some sort of covering to get back and forth in from the bathroom and showers. Some dorms are coed and the opposite sex does come visiting from time to time.

____Travel alarm clock. I know most people use their cell phone. I'm in the stone age!

OTHER STUFF

____umbrella- packed for spring/summer res

____Sunglasses and case

____hat, scarf, gloves, boots- winter

____baseball cap - summer

____Cash- especially if you are going to be dividing up that cab ride coming in. See other posts about sharing rides to cut down cost.

CLOTHES

____Long underwear- not something I would want on during the day to day activities. In my opinion they keep the buildings so hot it is unnecessary, but if you did like to hang at the fire at night in the snow in the winter, or take long hikes in the woods, then yes, bring some. FYI G1's will have little time to do anything, and the time they do have should be spent resting. It is taxing that first residency. Come prepared- read through this blog to see how to do that. Of course there is nothing that says that your relaxing is sitting at night by the fire with a glass of wine very warm in long underwear!

I am not sure how some people can pack and not do laundry throughout the week. But I do laundry on Wed. That is why I bring

___ small packet of laundry detergent. I hear they have little packets like they put in the dishwasher but for laundry. Might be a good investment for residency

____ you know what you need to pack for clothes. I have found that dressing in layers is best. Sweaters in the winter might be nice for some but my body temperature changes and some buildings are very hot. Plus I might add, dressing in layers takes less room in my suitcase. As it is I pack a lot of crap.

MISC PACKING INFORMATION

I bag everything. It just makes it easier. I can go through a box of large freezer bags when packing. I like to put all liquids in double bags. Plus I bag clothes, socks etc. These are the really large bags that you get from the store. Then I just take the bags out and put them in the drawer upon arrival.

Weather at residency! Dress warm

Hey you guys!

Calling all new students. NO, really, seriously I wish I could call all new students at Goddard Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Artos program. However, that is against the rules. So I wait patiently in the next two weeks. Hoping that new students ready their e mails from Jackie and hoping that there is contact information about our Unofficial Welcoming committee.

I must say though. I think a real letter sent out to students is a better idea. I know the only thing I got in the mail after hearing I was in was a bill. Not phone call, no letter, nothing that said, "Welcome to Goddard."

So I fidn myself possessed with the idea of making sure new people are comfortable. How appalled I was when i found a new Goddard student never got anything, though she wish she had. She wish she had known about how to get to Goddard from the airport, how not to spend all that money. How did she slip through the cracks.

In my undergraduate residency at Vermont College which is exactly like the program at Goddard, in fact they purchased the program from Goddard years back, anyway. Vermont College sent out a packet prior to coming. It had a map, and flyers about performances and art shows, it made the experience feel more real. I think I read that packet 50 times. Wish something like that was done for the new people at Goddard. It also had... The roster. Yes, the Roster of students scheduled to come to residency was sent out before hand. What good is a roster? Plenty.

First, if you have roster you can see who lives in my area, my state?
You can get a feel for the student body.
and if you were like me. You could notice the new students and call each an every one of them. That is what i did. Some cared. some did not, but I called! Sorry you guys, sorry I could not call you. I sit and wait patiently. Wait to see if the information for you to contact me has gotten into your hands. And plan for the small welcoming committee session where we can meet and greet. But if you have happened upon this blog because you are searching for meaning to your decision and wondering if you are alone please contact me. Another new student did. Within no time not only was I e mailing her, but I was able to put them in contact with many of our fellow students at Goddard through Facebook. So say something here, make some noise, or find me on facebook. I'll make sure you are friended as well. There are a lot of G2's who were in your position just last semester that are more than willing to share their experiences and help you along the way. As well as others on our Unofficial welcoming committee.

Got a hankering for hiking.

I have been thinking a lot about Sterling Pond in Vermont.

When I graduated from my undergrad work at Vermont College it was October. My husband and I took some time and stayed in a cabin in the mountains of vermont. Then we went on an excursion to Smugglers Notch. I heard there was a pond at the top of this mountain called Sterling Pond. We did not try to go up and hike it because, well even though there was no snow in Burlington and it was only October, the mountain looked pretty treacherous.

But I have a hankering to see it before I graduate. That would mean next summer residency I would have to attempt this. I'm not really a hiker, not professional by any means. I'm not afraid of trying, though right now with a bout of bronchitis I can't walk up the studio steps without huffing and puffing. I think it is also a little concerning when you are going for a walk and you have to "sign in." Guess they are afraid you will get lost. So this is what is on my mind. Sterling pond and hiking.

It is official. Scivener is helping me with my academics.

It is official. I have purchased Scrivener.

I had been searching for a robust software program that would help me to organize my thoughts on several book projects, as well as my graduate thesis. After much deliberation I decided to try Scrivner. They offered a 30 day trial and I downloaded it, and worked with it for a month.

I am not only impressed with the software, but I’m also impressed with the software company Literature Latte. I loved that they offer a student discount and have also offered a 50% discount to NANOWRIMO 2010 winners. NANOWRIMO is Nation Novel Writing Month- a challenge to write 50 thousand words in 30 days. I know that sounds pretty crazy. Here is an interview I did with both NANOWRIMO and WNFIN-Writing Non Fiction in November.

Last November I decided I would give NANWRIMO a try. The thing I liked the most about doing NANOWRIMO is that it disciplines you to write every day. That I did. I worked on a nonfiction piece, and after that I just continued and fleshed out the beginning of a young-adult novel. I am happy to report, I was one of the winners of NANOWRIMO. Now, the work begins. I’m working on edits for both.

I also had academic reasons for picking Scrivener, as well. I will be writing my graduate thesis this year. Scrivner is not only good for writing fiction or nonfiction it is a terrific resource for academic writing. Therefore, between now and June 2010, I may begin on my thesis. I will be starting to gather and sort through my notes in Scrivner. In between getting the other two books ready.

Keith Blount has been actively developing the software since 2004. I love what he had to say about the development.

“ I felt I needed a tool to help me really get a grip on my writing, notes and research, to organise it and start putting it all together like a jigsaw.”

“Scrivener should never try to be all things to all writers; software that tries to please everyone only ends up bloated and annoying most.” And he did not make the program expensive because he did not want to “price out struggling writers”

The NANOWRIMO website gives this description and information from Keith.

"I wrote Scrivener because it's the tool I wanted for my own writing, as I was fed up with having multiple chapters written in Word scattered around my hard drive, and trying to sort through all my notes and research, attempting to organise and get an overview of everything. Scrivener isn't the sort of writing software that presumes to tell you how to write (I'm not a fan of that sort of software myself); instead it just provides a number of tools that are hopefully a lot more geared towards organising and hammering out a first draft than a standard word processor. (It's not intended to replace a standard word processor, though - when you've finished your draft you can print it or export it for tweaking and polishing in your word processor of choice.) I'm not going to claim everybody needs this sort of software or any such nonsense, but if like me you've ever struggled with getting an overview of your novel and keeping all of its disparate threads and ideas together, then I hope you'll give it a whirl, and I'd be delighted if in some small way it helps some of you attain your 50,000 words. (If you like the idea but Scrivener just doesn't suit you, there are lots of alternatives on our links page, by the way.) If you want to know their competition check out their link page."

Scrivener is a mac program but is now also available in a Beta version for windows.

The cost is $45. Free trial $38.25 for educational and if you are interested and a NANWRIMO winner you get a 50% discount of the regular cost.

It is a small world

I know most of these posts, these days, are about my graduate studies at Goddard. If you go back far enough you will see that this blog actually goes back to my undergraduate time at Vermont College. So here is what happened this week that brings me back to VC.

I posted on my facebook some of the audio books that I am listening to. As a writer it is important that I read as much as possible but time does not always allow for reading so I revert to audio books. They are really helping me with my writing. One that I posted was Bloodroot by Amy Greene. How surprised I was to see the author reply to my post. Then to find out she and I went to school together at Vermont College and she had Dick Hathaway as a professor. So it is a small world.

The mellow fire of Goddard College MFAIA

I don't think I have posted this video here on the blog. I know it is on facebook. Sure hope it posts. In my last post I talked about the fire. Here is a video of the mellow fire from last residency. Summer residency of course. Sometimes the fire is best when there are just a few people. FYI, that is not the last night, on the last night everyone heads down there. I loved this.

GET READY FOR CABARET!

Each residency, on Thursday after everything is ended, we have Cabaret. If you are a new student you might want to consider this. It is a time to let down your hair. Many people perform. Don't worry it is not all that formal.

For example, last year I was in my first cabaret performance. What wonderful acting, singing or dancing did I do, You might ask. I clucked like a chicken with many other people to the tune from West Side story. Yes, you heard me. I clucked like a chicken. Not only did I do that, but I spent a good deal of the day running around trying to rope fellow students into clucking like a chicken with me. Of course I was not alone and it was conducted by the best clucker—Professor Polio was his name, but he is also known as fellow student and friend Patrick.

What else do we have at Cabaret? Actors, dancers, people who recite poetry, singers, skaters, acrobats, musicians... I have seen so much in the last 3 residencies. So if you think you would like to perform or be silly and are a G1 or new student be prepared.

After Cabaret the chairs are cleared and we party. Food and drinks are served in the lower gallery and everyone dances. This all takes place in the Hay Barn. Now if you tell anyone else that you go to college and on the last night dance in a hay barn they will think you are crazy.

After the party there is another party down in the music room. And yes, the fire. What? You have a fire in he middle of winter? Yes, indeed. So. bring the appropriate clothes, or the appropriate whiskey, whatever floats your boat. Many sing in the building but many die-hards are at the fire. Me, I love a fire better than just about anything and the music is a just not my style in the hay barn, so I rarely stay for that.

So get ready for Cabaret!

More work from classmates- Dance. Blakeley White McGuire

I love sharing work from students at Goddard. Blakeley McGuire is in my group this residency. I love to watch the dancers. When asked about this piece she said. "This is the final edit of the dance film I began at last summer's residency. I choreographed, danced and raised funds for this work (aaahh)! It was an absolutely wonderful experience and worth every bit of effort."

These Worlds In Us by Blakeley White- McGuire

These Worlds In Us from Blakeley White McGuire on Vimeo.

Anyone else at Goddard want to share?

Who will be my advisor next semester? It is that time again.

My G3 group with Gale Jackson

My G2 group with Ju-Pong Lin

My G1 group with Judy Hiramoto

It is that time again.

Returning students are looking at the MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts Program Arts Faculty and picking their top three choices for advisors for next semester.

We have all been waiting patiently for the form to come into our inbox. MENTAL NOTE: 1 month before residency the form came to my inbox.

This form has several drop down menus. It asks you for your first, second and third choice for your advisor for next semester. It also states... There are no guarantees.

Picking an advisor seems very difficult. It is even more difficult for returning students coming back after their first semester. There is really very little time to get to know other faculty members. My suggestion for new students is to go to the presentations at residency by the advisors.

They say it is advisable to try and talk to someone at campus to see if they would be a good fit. Frankly, that seems almost impossible. Residency is so very busy, and the faculty seem just as busy. Of course, you can find some at the fire in the evning or in the music room at night, but not all hang out after hours.

If there is someone you would like most are welcome to a phone call. Email them first and say you are interested. Pam Hall video chatted with me last semester. It was very helpful. Getting the "right" advisor is more than just finding someone who works in your discipline. That for me would be impossible because no one really works in either of my disciplines.

It is about chemistry. Each advisor is different, their tactics are different, the way the work with their students are different. That is something to try and find out when looking for an advisor. Who do you think you might be able to work with? If you need a push, then who might push you? If you are looking for more laid back and support, who might be that for you? Asking other students helps, but remember each opinion is really that—an opinion. You might work really well with an advisor and I might not work well with them at all.

I have heard of some students not picking an advisor and kind of going with the "luck of the draw." Hmm, not sure I would want to do that.

We won't find out who we will get until Sunday at residency. It is posted on the bulletin board and everyone hovers around the board in anticipation, wondering who their instructor is and who is in their group. Sorry new G1's advisors are picked for you.

My advisor this past residency was Gale. This semester is really my last choice for an advisor because I will go back to Judy for my graduating semester. She was my first advisor in my G1.

My choice for advisor for this residency is Rick Benjamin. Looking at the advisor list I also liked Kira, as I see she has worked with novels before. I have always liked Erica and felt I had to choose a third.

But I wrote this in the section where it said, "Please enter additional information as needed from the above question."

This semester will be a very full semester. I am working in two different areas and I am looking for an advisor that can support me in each direction.

I wrote a novel at the end of last semester. This is my first fiction piece. Up to this point I have been a non-fiction writer. I would really like to go through the entire novel with my advisor (12 chapters) and do revision based on “showing” not telling. In light of this, I really need someone who is good with words, and can assist me with this. I would also hope that the person chosen would be sensitive to the subject, as it is a Christian Young Adult novel.

Part two of my semester is again “showing not telling” but this time working on illustration. This is a huge gap in my personal practice as I have many children’s books that I have written but cannot get them published without illustrations. This semester I would like to explore different illustration styles.

My hope is that I can find an advisor that will be willing to work on both projects with me to have a very full body of work, and achieve these two goals in my “last” working semester before creating my portfolio.

As I don't really know all of the faculty very well I will defer to the selection committee to choose which is best for me. I have always liked Rick's work and feel we could work good together. I have chosen Kira, as I see she has worked with writing as well, but I don't know her and am not sure I have ever met her to know if our personalities click. I chose Erica because I needed to pick a third. Please help me with this decision. Thanks.

I guess now I need to take my own advice and perhaps try to contact Kira to see if we might be a good fit. I do trust the judgment of Jackie our administrator.

New students contemplating this insanity?

I can't help but wonder... Are there new students or potential students who are doing a google search on such things as " Master of Fine Arts at Goddard" or "Am I crazy for going back to school at my age?"

If so, you may just happen onto this blog.

So let me clarify

YES, YOU ARE CRAZY! But then, you will fit in very well with the rest of us. If you are seeking your Master of Fine Arts and love the idea of an interdisciplinary program, then I think you will like Goddard. Feel free to read through the blog and contact me personally. I put you in touch with other fellow students who can also share the ups and downs of this graduate program.

Maybe, I'll even see you at residency.

Flight is booked!

I always know it is getting close when the flight for school is booked.

For my last two trips instead of flying right to Vermont from Houston, Texas I have opted for going to my home town of Buffalo, NY first. I know... Buffalo in February? But you know I lost my mom first residency and well dad is getting older and it is only about 50 bucks more. So I do it.

I tried going to Buffalo after res MISTAKE! Res is very exhausting! So flight is booked. I get in early enough to perform my Unofficial Welcoming duties! Now to get down the suitcase.

Work of some of my fellow classmates. Illustration Jeffrey M Donato

I thought I would ask my classmates if I could post some of their work. If you would like to be included please give me a bio and some pictures. It does not have to be artwork it can be dance, a you tube video- anything. Thanks.

Jeffrey M. Donato
Jeffrey Maybury Donato grew up in Ligonier, surrounded by the magic of nature, which inspired him and fueled his already overactive imagination. He began his art education at the Westmoreland County Community College, earning his Associate’s Degree in Commercial Art. He then continued his fine art training at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he achieved his Bachelor’s Degree in Illustration. Jeffrey is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in interdisciplinary art at the Goddard College of Vermont. He does freelance artwork for local clients, draws caricatures at special events, and is currently working on a Tarot deck, a children’s book and a graphic novel. A variety of Jeffrey’s work can be viewed at: http://www.facebook.com/l/2a306uMvKmdAny23Hde-PfZuxSQ;www.jeffdonatoillustration.com.

COME ON FELLOW STUDENTS AND ALUM- SEND ME SOME LINKS AND ART!

Why is it called the "unofficial" welcoming committee? What does it entail? Can I help?

WHY IS IT CALLED UNOFFICIAL

Some would say it is called "Unofficial" because it is Goddard. O.k. I'll go with that!

WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL?

Not much really here is what we do.

• Make ourselves available to new students
• Make the Goddard transition easier.
• Help others to "trust the process?"

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

BEFORE RESIDENCY- I receive few contacts before residency, but I take care of them. I wish more new students found this blog and could feel more at ease about coming. I do contact Jackie our administrator and she passes my name and contact information to those needing it in a letter before residency. I'm also encouraging new contacts to friend me on Facebook. If you find you are on the committee and I suggest a friend, that is probably the reason why.

FIRST DAY AT RESIDENCY-Thursday

FIRST GATHERING- We meet in the area between the help desk and cafeteria between 3 and 5. All students are welcome to come. Snacks and drinks are provided, though I do need the help of one welcoming committee member to pick these up. Either someone in a car or someone from the area is needed. You will be reimbursed.

Chatting and eating in this common area until dinner. Answering questions and helping students find their dorms and get settled in.

DINNER FIRST NIGHT

I try to get all of the new G1's at the 4 large tables in the center of the cafeteria. It is helpful to have a couple of committee volunteers at each talbe to answer questions. I ask all Volunteers to keep their eye out for someone who looks new. ( Note the deer in the headlights look.) Invite them to a gathering.

After dinner there is a meeting int he Cottage for all G1's A couple more volunteers to appear at this with me is welcomed. Believe it or not, there are some new G1's that we will have not met up to this point. At this meeting I'll hand out the flyers with our photographs on them.

RESIDENCY

The rest of residency we just try to make ourselves available for helping the new G1's get through the process that they are supposed to be trusting.

It is as simple as that. By day two or three the G1's bond and have their own support group but may need some help when it comes to writing study plans or the infamous "degree criteria."

HOW TO SIGN UP?

Drop me a line, send a photograph and some information also your dorm if you know it. You can see a sample of what is done and what type of information is need at this post. Please let us know if we can publish your information on the blog or if you just want it used in the flyer at residency.

IF YOU WERE ON THE COMMITTEE LAST YEAR AND WOULD LIKE TO BE ON IT AGAIN Please let me know. Joining the committee is not a life time commitment, I will only assume you are on it if you contact me.

Getting Ready for Winter Residency

Winter Residency in some strange way is called "Spring" residency at Goddard. Go figure. Anyway, I'll soon be putting up information for new and returning students. If you are a new student at Goddard College float through the blog, you will find tons of information here. And we will soon have a list of our entire welcoming committee so you won't have to come to residency not knowing a soul. You can also e mail me for further information. Use my contact form at my creativesculpture.com website. And I'll e-mail you back. Or send your phone number and a good time to call. We can chat. Plainfield people, don't worry, our programs are the same and I have a wonderful Plainfield welcoming committee person for you as well.

INFORMATION

Looks like Everywhere Taxi has put up a page for us on their website. If you fill out the form at Everywhere they will try to group us together to save money on the transport to Goddard. It can be quite expensive. Here is a link to their form.

Here are the rates as they are listed on their site, as of this date.

BETWEEN PLAINFIELD AND BURLINGTON:

For five passengers: $18.00 per person

For four passengers: $23.00 per person

For three passengers: $30.00 per person

For two passengers: $45.00 per person

Private car/single passenger: $89.00

More residency information to come.