The Kentucky Center Governor's School for the Arts

GSA Daily:

Monday, June 21, 2004

“The way I define success is not by the amount of things that you have, but by the spirit you have and keep inside you.” - Joel Pett

The first day began with a morning performance by Joel Pett, a political cartoonist with the Lexington Herald-Leader. His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. He also won a Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for one of his works. Immediately, Joel displayed his dry humor and the audience lightened up. Despite his humor, he sent several important messages to the students. “You are not defined by what car you drive or what kind of shirt you wear. You are defined by what’s between your ears and how you treat others,” he explained between anecdotes and drawings.

"Everyone can make art, but not everyone can make art that moves us, shapes us, and enlightens us." - Joe Ferrucci, Architecture Professor

Reflections

GSA inspired me not to be the "best" at my art form, but to work harder to express myself among so many talented people. I learned that art is itself a passion, and the passion one shares with their craft develops friendship, education, and the ability to represent the world around us all positively-Kevin Flores, Documentarian, GSA class of 98 in Drama

At lunch, Elizabeth Farrar and Devon Graves celebrated their sixteenth and seventeenth birthdays with large, silly hats that made them an extra foot taller. Blushing, they smiled as the whole lunchroom sang “Happy Birthday” to them.

The day culminated with “Personal Geography: An Informal Evening of Sharing by Faculty & Guests.” Students were able to see their teachers outside of the classroom and in the limelight. The performances ranged from a moving visual art video starring Drama faculty, Rick Long, to readings and dances. However, all of the presenters used their personal experiences to send messages to the students. “There will be times when you are tired, scared, lonely and feeling defeated. The only thought that will run through your mind is, ‘why am I doing this?” Architecture faculty Joe Ferrucci advised. “It is at this time when you need to collect your thoughts, dig deep and remember that you will touch the lives of others through your efforts. You have a gift that others do not and this is a noble privilege.”

-Contributed by Christine Tran, Intern

Creative Writing instructor Ellen Hagan reads a piece of her work

Dancers lined up on stage for their first GSA dance class.

Main Entry: ¹per·son·al
1 : of, relating to, or affecting a person 2 a : done in person without the intervention of another; also : proceeding from a single person b : carried on between individuals directly 3 : relating to the person or body 4 : relating to an individual or an individual's character, conduct, motives, or private affairs 5 a : being rational and self-conscious b : having the qualities of a person rather than a thing or abstraction

Main Entry: ge·og·ra·phy
1 : a science that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth's surface 2 : the geographic features of an area 3 : a treatise on geography 4 : a delineation or systematic arrangement of constituent elements

Question of the Day
"To you, what does it mean to be an artist?"
	“For me, being an artist means having the ability to explore new things, and to use your art skills in ways that express who you are. The definition of an artist is not a set thing, artists have many different mindsets about what they do.”-Aina Wilson, Louisville, Visual Art
	“Oh Jeez, It's too early (8am)...Well, it means fulfillment. Vitality.. exploring your imagination, exploring yourself, love.. and a closeness to God that I don't feel anywhere else.” -Tim Soulis, Professor of Drama
	“It's basically just expressing what you feel inside, and not necessarily always expressing what other people think artistry is.. but it's what you yourself can make of it.” -Luke Davidson, Louisville, Instrumental Music: Violin
"If you could have any magical power, what would it be and why?"
	“Umm... I would have to say that I would want to fly. I could go anywhere and not have to use my legs.. I mean, I use them enough everyday dancing, you know?” -Emily Mortenson, Radcliff, Dance
	“Not that it has anything to do with my psyche, but I would blend into wallpaper like a chameleon. I’m not the wallflower type, but I think it would be cool to change patterns.” -–Morgan Adams, Creative Writing
	“Me?..Oh..hold on, I have to think about that for a second...hmmm..I would like x-ray vision so..well, it would just be cool..and then I could whisper to people, "watch out I have x-ray vision".. but there would be an on/off switch." -Talena Sanders, Intern

Photos of the Day:

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