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About Me
- Keith R. Stamm
- Disclaimer:I assume no responsibility for the accuracy of any information on this Blog. Im the only Republican ever re-elected to a city wide office. Information on this Blog may not be copied without written permission.
2 comments:
I won't question why you posted this, but, I don't get it.
Hello Mr. Stamm,
My name is Jan Gaul, Artist in Studio 221 at the Goggle Works. I was born and raised in Reading and was a R.H.S Graduate, so was my Father. My Mother and Sisters were all born in Panama, and my sisters were raised in Reading after my Father left the Military. I am the youngest of six, and my Mother still lives in downtown Reading. Like any City, crime is part of it. There really isn't a silver bullet to change things over night. But I have seen that the Goggle has the potential to bring more good then harm to the City of Reading. I would like to tell you three personal stories about people who I have seen be directly affected by the Art Center. If these stories peak your interest, I would then like to invite you to participate in an event at the Goggle. So, if you could, give me a moment and let me tell you about my relationship with the Goggle Works.
There are times at the Goggle when the City youths will come in, clown around, maybe they're looking for mischief. I am an Artist that will walk into a Men's room full of kids, stuffing the sinks with toilet paper and will educate them about the better reasons to be there, Inform them that there are Scholarship available and give them a full tour of the building at 8:50pm. My first story is about a Graffiti Artist I will call Taylor. On a quiet afternoon, a group of Teens were "tagging" Artists' note pads by their doors. Have you Ever noticed the (Graffiti) "white Yin and yang" type symbol that littered North Third and surrounding areas? This is Taylor and his crew. I welcomed them into my Studio and we chatted about my Art and their Hip-Hop culture. One of them even drew me his "tag" to show me his form of Art. As they left I told Taylor to bring me his Sketch book the following week, and I would show him how he could expand his drawing ability by taking my Course at the Goggle. So then I sat there and debated about what to do: Tell the director, Diane Labelle, about who I know is wrecking the properties of the City? Maybe offer them Scholarships to help give them a better direction? Then it occurred to me that I could barely relate to them, and I grew up in the City. So I walked down the hall to A.C.O.R. The African-American Coalition of Reading Gallery and spoke with the Director there, Ed Terrell. I told him who I met and showed them the "tags". Ed asked me to bring the teenagers to him if they came back, and the following week they did. I brought them all to Mr. Terrell and he spent a good bit of time with them all. The following week, they all helped him with his Mural project for the City of Reading. Now do you notice that "Yin and yang" symbol as much as a year ago?
My second story is about one of my Students. A 13 year old from South West Jr. High. "80 pounds of attitude" I once jokingly called her during a critique. She never once spoke to me or her peers, in a disrespectful manner. Only sat there like a sponge and took it all in. Week after Week, she advanced at every opportunity. Around my 16th hour of Instructing her, I said to her,"Your only goal should be to graduate R.H.S. as the best Artist that ever was there, and you should expect nothing but a full scholarship to the Art School you apply to". I wrote a letter of recommendation to the GoggleWorks Programs Department to grant her a scholarship in any department she would like to take a class in, for she is the future of Fine Art in Reading. You might even see her working in my Studio with other former Students of mine on a Second Sunday.
My last story is about my "pride and joy" of the Goggle. Eleven year old Elliot Wambold of Exeter. I have worked with Elliot for over Fifty hours and he clearly is the Future of Fine Art in Berks County. He has now worked with Dan Gorman (studio 211) who was,"amazed at his ability to mix and create the colors for a Landscape painting so well, as if he was an Adult". Last Second Sunday, Elliot and his Mother were in my Studio doing a study of Oil paints. I offered to introduce them to the new Studio Artist and Instructor, Steven White. Steven White is a Water Color Artist and who I consider the best talented Artist at the Goggle. Steven then informed us that he has a 16 year old limit of who he will teach because he doesn't want to 'baby sit' children during his Course. Elliot's Mother then showed him Elliot's Art. His mouth opened," Wow, how old are you again? Look at this depth, you have some ability". "I would love to have you as one of my students". Cheryl and I could have cried to hear such a tremendously talented artist proclaim Elliot as "the best youth he ever seen", it was overwhelming. There is a Goggle Works Student Show February 1 - 28. You will find some of my students in my Studio that Second Sunday.
I now invite you to volunteer at "Story Telling" on Monday Nights at the Goggle. Bring your loved ones and read to the community of Reading. I will even offer to draw or paint an image to coincide with your story you choose, while you read. If you decide to do so, please contact SGiles@goggleworks.org. Sharon is the event coordinator at the Goggle. If not, so be it. Just keep in mind, you might not see the results from the GoggleWorks immediately.....but the potential exist and one day, one of my students will be the next instructor at the Goggle Works.
Thank you for your time.
Jan Gaul
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