Jacques D'Amboise
Teaching Dance
Click Image to watch Jacques D’Amboise teach dance on a rootop in New York City early on.
Jacques was a visionary who firmly believed that the arts should be part of every school's curriculum, equal to math and science. Beginning with a class of boys, teaching kid-friendly dance moves with rigor and joy, accompanied always by live music, fifty years later this wonderful program is thriving in 42 schools in NYC, 13 affiliate programs across the United States and internationally in Shanghai and Beirut, Lebanon.
Look for all kinds of festivities in the next coming year and in the meantime, if you are in New York, their much beloved Event of the Year is taking place on Father's Day weekend--June 14, 15 and 16, 2025--if you want to be infused with a shot of pure inspiration and joy. This is no typical kid's dance performance--come see for yourself. I know that Jacques will be watching down with a big smile.
The Collections of John and Ellen Whalley
Today was the day! I made a 10am appointment to visit his studio in Nobleboro, Maine and had the pleasure of not only meeting him and his wonderful wife Ellen, but also getting a tour of his studio, his art and the extensive collections he has of just about everything. I am not a fan of clutter and tend to be more on the minimalist side (my daughter would laugh at that!) but John and Ellen have assembled a curated collection of objects they have picked up at tag sales and flea markets that make me salivate, even just thinking about it. Everything is carefully arranged in sections and what might be a jumble of a mess looks like art itself... John clearly gets his inspiration from these objects and Ellen collaborates by styling these curios into wonderful compositions for John to paint in oils or draw in graphite. These objects take on a life of their own. Below are photos of just a small seletion of their collections in his studio and home.
I have written about John Whalley before in blog no. 40 where you can see his I am sure you would like to view his incredible photo realist paintings and drawings on steroids...
Two Rumi Poems
Jalaluddin Rumi, 1207 - 1273. click image above to read about him
The beauty of the heart
is the lasting beauty:
its lips give to drink
of the water of life.
Truly it is the water,
that which pours,
and the one who drinks.
All three become one when
your talisman is shattered.
That oneness you can’t know
by reasoning.
LET GO OF YOUR WORRIES
Let go of your worries
and be completely clear-hearted,
like the face of a mirror
that contains no images.
If you want a clear mirror,
behold yourself
and see the shameless truth,
which the mirror reflects.
If metal can be polished
to a mirror-like finish,
what polishing might the mirror
of the heart require?
Between the mirror and the heart
is this single difference:
the heart conceals secrets,
while the mirror does not.
Scarves, Tea Towels, Charcuteria/Cutting Boards, Backpacks, Travel Cups, Table Runners, Phone Cases, etc. etc.
Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union
About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.