{"id":689,"date":"2013-12-03T11:39:39","date_gmt":"2013-12-03T17:39:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kristendembroski.com\/?p=689"},"modified":"2014-02-05T05:45:58","modified_gmt":"2014-02-05T11:45:58","slug":"art-of-writing-conference-1213","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.kristendembroski.com\/?p=689","title":{"rendered":"Art of Writing Conference 12\/13"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Calatrava<\/a><\/p>\n

Today, I had the privilege of attending the 26th annual Art of Writing Conference<\/a> at the Milwaukee Art Museum. This is my 7th time returning. The Art of Writing Conference is a truly amazing experience where hundreds of young authors and artists, grades 1-12, come from across the state to meet at the Milwaukee Art Museum for a day of exploration and writing.<\/p>\n

\"Milwaukee<\/a><\/p>\n

We begin the day by breaking up into small grade-level groups of about 10 students from different schools, and we tour the museum together. Our goal is to choose a few pieces of art and discuss the artist\u2019s message while also looking for a way to connect personally to the piece. As a former docent and an Art History major, this is definitely my favorite part of the day. The students do some very deep reflecting and thinking on the art – oh you would be so proud!\u00a0They have such profound and touching things to say. I never get tired of the museum tour because each group of students sees something different \u2013 even if it\u2019s the same piece I\u2019ve viewed with hundreds of students before them, I always hear something new.<\/p>\n

\"OKeffe<\/a><\/p>\n

Later in the afternoon, we gather for a silent hour of writing or sketching. The authors generate a first draft of their writing piece, which is a 500 word personal narrative inspired by a piece of artwork we viewed in the morning. We sit at a table in the middle of the gallery \u2013 what a gift to be able to write surrounded by world treasures! After a break for pizza in the Calatrava, we engage in Writing Workshop: peer revision, editing, and writing a final copy. Then, voila, their work is published in a few short months! We all return to the museum for a ‘Book Release Party,’ and the students get a copy of their published work.<\/p>\n

\"OKeffe<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I am very grateful for this opportunity to be inspired by the art, authors, and artists. I wish I could take all of my students every year, because it is such a unique opportunity.<\/p>\n

By the way, there was a really cool surprise for me this year. They start the conference every year with a video about the conference and the writing process. It features video captured from previous conferences. Imagine my surprise when I saw myself up on the big screen in the auditorium! Here I am leading my group of 8th graders last fall. Of the hundreds of people there, it was neat to be in the spotlight!<\/p>\n

\"Art<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\"Art<\/a><\/p>\n

If you’re interested in reading my piece, you can download it here:\u00a0Dembroski Short Story<\/a><\/p>\n

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