This past weekend I participated in the United States Society for Education Through the Arts (USSEA) and the International Society for Education Through Art (InSEA) conference which turned out to be a fantastic experience. Tim Rollins said during his key note, “You answered the call”. My mind began celebrating the choices I made when it comes to art and education and how the academic preparation along with the experiences in the last 20 years are shaping together a calling I can’t refuse. What if by answering the call to use the tools, skills, and gifts God had given me I make a difference in someone’s life?
Too many people are concerned about what they can do for the world and just a few pay attention to the impact we can have in individuals. Reaching as many people as we can reach is important and the effort should not be dismissed. However, there is something I learned from the life of Jesus: multitudes will chant your name and at the first chance they have they will turn against you. Multitudes will scatter at the first chance they have but those individuals who had been impacted by your life and teaching will always come back and carry on the vision. That impact is the result of answering the call and do what you do best and do it with love and passion. It is the result of paying attention to the specific needs of the individual and to serve that person as if no one else exists, even if it is for just a few minutes.
As a matter of fact, some individuals are just longing for someone who can acknowledge them at least for a minute. Near us is someone who lacked validation and affirmation from the people closer to them. When we serve them with what we do and what we know they recognize their own value as a person and that finding can unlock a great amount of great things in life. This is why I teach. This is why I have so much passion to share the little I know with everyone I can. It is fantastic to know there are other people all over the world with the same passion. Kudos to all of you who spend time and resources to make a difference through art and education. Thank you for answering the call.
Join us at one of our sculpting and painting parties!
