56 Comments
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Michelle's avatar

I love this so much! It is inspiring. It’s so easy to get discouraged, or shut down and paralyzed. Thank you. I’m so glad your students have you.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks so much, Michelle!

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Modern Vintage's avatar

I just read this comment about hope and thought it appropriate to your post, hope you don’t mind.

“Hope isn’t a denial of what is, but a belief that the current situation is not all that can be.”

It was from a contributor I follow Karl Dunn ;

https://karldunn.substack.com/p/opinions-were-not-as-right-as-we?

Have a great week. 😃

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

That's a great quote! And totally appropriate. Thanks for sharing a different way to think about HOPE.

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Vicki Walsh's avatar

Teaching Art in Indiana is dicey under usual conditions and now with Felon47 and his cronies teachers have to be extremely careful about what they show and say about Art and Artists. I am so glad I’m retired (from Indiana)but am always thinking about those still in the schools. You are dealing with so much! I love that your students felt confident enough to voice their

feelings. It’s a great lesson. Hang in there!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Vicki! Yes, things are dicey in Indiana, but it makes me all the more passionate! :)

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Ashley Gross's avatar

Love this, Kelcey! Especially the portrait and quote from Doris Lessing

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Ashley! xoxo

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Zsofi Lang's avatar

I loved reading this story, it read like a well-composed song. Really inspiring!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

I love the song comparison! Thanks so much, Zsofi!

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Esther Kosofsky's avatar

Kelcey, as soon as I began reading this post, I knew I would give it a heart, comment, and share it on other platforms. I also am emailing it directly to many who will appreciate ALL that you’ve articulated, incorporated and integrated in pictures and words. AWEsome!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Wow, thanks so much, Esther! I really appreciate you sharing it! ❤️🥰

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H Maria Armijo's avatar

I love this! I too am always amazed what my students go through on the daily. It was nice to see the visuals. It's very inspiring.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Maria! Because I teach creative writing and comics, I feel like I get a special window into my students' lives, and it makes me appreciate them all the more!

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Kat Honda Whitham's avatar

This is just what I needed today, Kelcey! I'd love to share it with my creative writing class.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Kat! If you share it, I'd love to hear their thoughts on making art in impossible conditions.

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Wait a minute!'s avatar

So inspiring, thank you!!❤️

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Ann!

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B.A. Lampman's avatar

This is wonderful ❤️‍🔥

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, B.A.! ❤️

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Leah Boulet's avatar

So good!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thank you!

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Rachielle Sheffler's avatar

I’m happy to hear that your students are making art despite the circumstances. You must be a great inspiration for them, and it must be rewarding for them to inspire you in return.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Rachielle! It doesn't always feel very inspiring, but there are moments when everyone really shines!

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Wendy McWaffle's avatar

This is beautiful, and brilliant, and everyone should see it! Thank you 🥰

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

So nice! Thanks, Wendy!

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Stacy Lynn's avatar

Wow, I needed this reminder. Thank you! I haven’t been painting and writing—actually set aside a project that combines both—because I’m so upset about all the chaos and my NEH-funded job being under threat. But yes of course art can and MUST thrive in hard conditions. It has power to save us. I know that. Thank you to you and your amazing students for reminding me. I will return to my writing and watercolor today, no matter how hard it is.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

I hope you do, Stacy!!! I love your watercolors. And also the chaos and threats to NEH are totally why we need your art.

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Peter Moore's avatar

As ever: to learn more listen to the students. So cool that these artists are creating for their lives, rather than apart from them.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Yes! I like that distinction: creating FOR their lives rather than apart from them.

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Jay Bremyer's avatar

This is beautiful, inspiring and instructive art/comic and optimistic. Thanks! We need more of this, particularly when under stress, i.e. always.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Jay. It was an inspiring conclusion to a stressful week!

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