BeeLuvEd has reason to Bee Happy

Alexa Febel has created an action plan around supporting the diminishing honey bee population in the U.S. by holding an all-things-bee-related festival in Orland or Tinley Park. In doing her research and seeking feedback for her plan, Alexa contacted Bee Happy Honey, an organization started by thirteen-year-old Emily Adamo and her mother for the same purpose.

Not only did Bee Happy Honey provide some good advice on the building of bee boxes, but they have also offered to donate mugs and shirts to the BeeLuvEd festival if Alexa decides to go forward with her plan.

Felipe's Drug Addiction Flier

One of my students put his action plan into action even before it was due! Felipe Garcia, graphic design major, wanted to address the issue of drug addiction in Chicago. After interviewing eleven counselors at the New Hope Recovery Center, he created a flier to raise awareness about this issue in his community. The flier included steps to stopping drug addiction, along with contact information for several local agencies where drug addicts can get help.

Felipe printed 300 of the fliers, and distributed them throughout his neighborhood with the help of friends and family. Many people in the neighborhood gave a positive response to his flier and the need to address this important issue.

Good work, Felipe!

The beginning at the end

In the past few months, I have had one of the most rewarding experiences in my career as a teacher. I developed a new course in the social sciences called Art and Activism. This course was born out of my belief in the power of art, and in the importance of the next generation of artists seizing that power to change the world around them.

I had no idea how my students would respond to this view of their role in their surrounding communities. Their enthusiasm and creativity far exceeded my expectations, which I sometimes suspected of being overly-idealistic. They have inspired me, and given me hope that there is still a place for idealism in this world.

So many great ideas came from the students in the class, that I decided to start this blog. Many of the students in the class are actively planning to pursue the projects they developed over the course of the semester, and I wanted to create a forum for them to keep in contact and continue to collaborate with their peers.

Also, as I learn more about issues and opportunities of interest to emerging artist/activists, I plan to pass that information along here.

The semester is now at an end, and as always, I feel nostalgic about letting go of this group of students, and the experience that we have had in learning together. But this time, more than ever, I can see the end as a beginning of something much greater.