Weekend Update

Our improv show went well on Friday night. The rehearsal earlier in the week helped, and we had a full house (which always helps). It was Lee's Founders Day Weekend, so there was a lot happening in the town... in fact, my in-laws came out to see the show, and were impressed by the energy of the town... kind of funny, since it seemed so dead when I lived there. Regarding the show, some of my fellow improv mates seem newly inspired, which is great--it made me all the more motivated to give a great performance. Of course, with improv you can get anything, so there's no way to predict how a show will go... but this one was good- I think we're getting better at telling stories and listening to each other.

Photo ©Jeremy Clowe for Norman Rockwell
Museum. All rights reserved.

This afternoon Sarah and I trekked back out to the Berkshires to help out at the Girl Scouts Festival being held at Norman Rockwell Museum in honor of the 100 year anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. I basically took photos all day to document the event, which was fun and challenging at the same time. I have felt a little inspired by our wedding photographer's work, and trying to take a few cues from things I observed him doing with his photography. There was watercolor painting on the outdoor campus (leaves are starting to change), horse grooming and tricks (a live horse jumping hurdles), and an actress who portrayed Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. Sarah was a long-time girl scout, so I was happy to have her join me, and interested in learning more about her times with the service organization. 

Tonight we packed... getting ready to move, and we still have a ways to go. Tomorrow I finally have a true day off... looking forward to it after a long, exhausting week.

Minty Fresh

What a cool day. I spent it in the Capital Region, which meant I didn't have far to drive (for a change). After an early morning workout, I traveled to the WAMC studios in downtown Albany to take part in a live segment about Norman Rockwell Museum's upcoming Girl Scout Festival, that will celebrate the organization's 100-year anniversary.

Norman Rockwell created the designs for these
12 Girl Scout medallions for the Franklin Mint
back in 1977. I thought they looked great!
Courtesy and from the collection of
Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts.

I'm usually the one gathering guests to represent the Museum, but this time no one was available... so I decided to do the talking. I have done live radio before (even had my own weekly show), but I'm no expert on the Girl Scouts, so it did feel a little "unknown" once I got there...

Luckily I had two very informed guests join me: Monica Minor, the Vice President of Girl Development for Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York; and Dana Carnegie, Communications Manager for Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (both of these ladies' councils will be helping us with the festival). Dana I had spoken with before, and was very impressed with her professionalism--we share a similar job in terms of managing communications, so it was inspiring to talk with and finally meet her--I thought she came off great on the air. She also brought along a loan of original Girl Scouts medallions that Norman Rockwell had designed for the Franklin Mint back in 1977-- the Museum did not have these originals, so it will be a nice addition to a small exhibit of related Scout artworks that we will be displaying... I was really happy to help secure this loan. Dana also brought along a box of thin mints for me, so she is officially OK in my book.

The host of The Roundtable, Joe Donahue, always seems to do his homework, so I thought it went well. A good portion of the show was devoted to talking about Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low, so I was happy to have Dana and Monica there to inform us all. I really let them do most of the talking, and was happy to learn more about the organization. Conscious of our short 15 minute segment, I did want to acknowledge my wife's long-time involvement with the scouts... this is where much of my interest came from, and I guess you could call it a love letter... hope it was appropriate. There were other things I had hoped to add, but it is hard to think on your toes during such a live segment, and better to let the host lead the show. 

Here is a link to listen to the final broadcast: 
wamc.org/post/norman-rockwell-museum-girl-scout-festival-centennial-celebration

After that, I drove up the street to do some more outreach for the Museum... this time at a local comic book shop to talk about our upcoming exhibition on the art of Alex Ross. They seemed excited... I may have been more of an authority of that subject. I left with several new ideas all the same.

Good, productive day. It's good to get out of the office now and then...

Girl Power!

Yes, these are Sarah's. Note the waterfall emblem
that she and her troop chose back in the day...
how prophetic! Photo ©Jeremy Clowe.
All rights reserved.

Spent part of the day getting ready for a live radio interview I'm taking part in on WAMC, the Albany, New York NPR affiliate, on Tuesday morning, August 28. I will be joining two local representatives from the Girls Scouts of The United States of America, in a discussion about Norman Rockwell Museum's Girl Scouts Festival to be held on September 22, celebrating the organization's 100-year anniversary. My wife was a long-time scout, so I better know my stuff!!! 

It should be fun to be on the radio again, but I'll be sure to heed that old scout motto: "be prepared."

Interview will air on the program The Roundtable, starting at 11:10 a.m. ET. You can listen live at: www.wamc.org

Hero-isms

Spent the day at work preparing for our upcoming exhibition, Heroes and Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross. The artwork looks great, and it sounds like Ross had the same comic book cornerstones as I did growing up: creating his own books, being glued to the TV to the animated and live action superhero shows (no better Hulk!). I think it explains something of the realistic approach he has taken with his art. Here is a clip I found of the artist talking about his work:

The rest of the day was spent setting things up for a radio segment about our upcoming Girl Scouts Festival Day. The more I learn about the organization, I can see why it is responsible for influencing many of our real-life heroes. "Once a girl scout, always a girl scout..." one of the council representatives tells me. Yeah, I can see it with my wife-- shazam!

Scouts' Honor

"Good Scouts (Portrait of a Girl Scout),"
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978). Cover illustration
for "Life" magazine, November 6, 1924.
Norman Rockwell Museum Digital Collections.

I had a delightful phone conversation today with the communications manager at the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts. Norman Rockwell Museum is planning a big celebration for the Girl Scouts of the United States of America on Saturday, September 22, to mark the organization's 100 year anniversary (a longtime supporter of scouting, Rockwell did some work for the organization), and I was calling to find out more information, and how to publicize the event. I have been feeling generally disappointed with some people lately, so this phone conversation helped to brighten my day.

Dana does essentially the same kind of work I am doing, managing the council's press department and trying to be a good spokesperson for the organization. I have to say that I admired the thoughtful, intelligent, and helpful manner she had-- as trying as it can get to deal with press, media, and the public, I imagine that she does a great job. We talked a bit about the history of the Girl Scouts, founded in 1912 by the trailblazing Juliette Gordon Low, who was inspired by the boys' scouting movement during a trip to Europe. Her "Girl Guides" gathered for the first time in Savannah, Georgia, and today there are 3.2 million Girl Scouts—2.3 million girl members and 890,000 adult members working primarily as volunteers. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others. 

The story of the Girl Scouts sounds fascinating, and I'm so glad the Museum is doing this celebration. My wife Sarah, in fact, was a Girl Scout for a long period of time, right through high school, and the more I learn about the organization, I can see why she would stick with it--the organization seems like it would match her personality traits of being helpful and service-minded. I guess that is part of why we connected--I too was involved with Cub Scouts, and my father was actually a scout master for a period of time--I have fond memories of my time with the group, and the service and community aspects match my nature and interests as well.

Unfortunately, the Boy Scouts have come under a bit of flack recently for not being so open-minded when it comes to issues of equality. There was a bit of concern about how to promote this event, because of some of the bad press that the Scouts have received. Actually, the Girl Scouts of the USA are a separate organization, and have been much more progressive when it comes to issues of tolerance and opportunities. It makes sense, since the organization was founded by forward-thinking women during an era of increased rights and gender equality. 

I guess I have been feeling slightly cynical lately, finding that some of the "artists" that I know have been more concerned with money than the important things in life--like family, friendships, causes for the common good. Maybe I have too high expectations of people. I think I'm actually coming around to be a little more realistic about people, about not counting on others' to fulfill my needs, help me find happiness. But I also have a wonderful wife now, who supports me and keeps me level-headed. 

Disappointments come and go... maybe more for the sensitive, idealistic type... but helping to promote meaningful events for organizations like the Girl Scouts, restores my faith in humanity. We need people like Juliette Gordon Low--it must be a honor to help forward those ideals. 

www.girlscouts.org

Norman Rockwell Museum press release I wrote for September 22 event