the nccj charrette

ok, so hundreds of times as a teacher, i have assigned an impossible series of tasks en charrette. (if you've not heard of that term, read all about this timed design exercise in a paper i wrote with my colleague, robert charest, for the 24th national council on the beginning design student conference in georgia).

just like in school, the community by design team tackled the nccj project (after dinner, of course) in the casa cabrera "studio." after discussing the project for a while, we divided into three teams to address different aspects of the project. from the results of our efforts last evening, i'll draft a memo to nccj, reporting on our recommendations.

i'm excited about the ideas we generated because they all, if implemented, help give life and energy to the nccj offices....the goal of the organization in getting us to help them.

newcomer's site visit

edgar, debbie, suzanne, and i had a GREAT visit with victoria wreden-sadeq, the art teacher at newcomer's school. we looked around the forlorn late 1960s/1970s building that the school is reshaping into a viable learning environment. already, art has a major position in the school and the gorgeous weaving/installation in the library, as well as student projects throughout the school are testimony to victoria's steady hand and electric energy in bringing change to the environment.

we're in negotiations about how best cxd can assist in the project, fully realizing that there's a significant opportunity for students in iarc to be involved.

i should note here that victoria also has worked with faculty from uncg's department of theatre and department of art....do i smell a multi-disciplinary opportunity? i hope so.