Sarah Ferguson, one of this year's artists-in-residence at Springwater, knows first-hand how art can build community.  Trained in fine arts with experience in painting, sculpture, ceramics, and other media, she began bringing art into schools when her own children were young.  

She joined the roster at Young Audiences about ten years ago, and now travels throughout the region working with schools to create permanent art installations and other multi-media projects. "Exploring art making processes allows each person to expand their visual vocabulary and make things with their hands; building, getting messy, making mistakes and finding solutions, and learning from each other as we work together," explains Sarah.

In her role as artist-in-residence, Sarah acts as teacher, collaborator, and art director - sharing techniques, encouraging students and helping them solve problems, keeping track of everything, and very importantly she adds, "trusting the process."  At Springwater, students returned from winter break to begin the brainstorming and planning stages. Working with all grade levels, Sarah notes that the students' knowledge of the natural world "is extraordinary and vital to the design of the different parts of the exterior installations we will be creating.  All ages have had much to share as we discussed different possibilities for their work in clay, from the youngest ones' knowledge of insects and arachnids to the older students' awareness of how the earth is shaped by natural forces, and the specific biology of this region."

Each student will take part in the entire process: moving from the brainstorming phase to design, working with clay to create their contribution to the project, glazing their ceramic piece, bringing all the individual items together to assemble the group installation (with help from parent volunteers), and finally, celebrating the end result and the journey that led there. "Each young artist has their individual contribution and also can realize the power of creating together," Sarah observes. "They also have a better understanding of the creative process on a large project, and hopefully are empowered by the experience."

In addition to working with schools, Sarah has also worked in the libraries doing family art programs, performed in a bilingual storytelling group with puppets and masks, and has received grants to lead community art projects.  She worked as a U.S. Navy photographer for five years and in 2008 received the Young Audiences Sunburst award for teaching artist of the year.  

"Working with young people is exciting," adds Sarah. "I love their enthusiasm and willingness to explore and to sometimes take risks". By early spring, when project installation is anticipated, the end results of that enthusiasm and Sarah' sguidance will be on view for all to enjoy.