By Patsy Divver

Like many of you, I rarely get the opportunity to venture out of the Library. Luckily, I am able to attend our MSLA conference and another workshop/conference during the school year. However, on occasion, when classes are light and chaperones scarce, I get included in the list of teachers who can accompany field trips.

This past November, I was invited to chaperone the Millis High School Art Club’s “Museum Tour” trip in Western MA. Mrs. Baseman, the HS Art teacher, planned a terrific itinerary:  the Norman Rockwell Museum AND the Mass MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), as well as an Improv Show at UMASS. But we had a totally unexpected addition to our agenda and thus the story--how to make a great field trip - GREATER!

As we went to the Norman Rockwell Museum, we knew that Friday was also the ‘opening Exhibit Day’ for “Lit Graphic; the World of the Graphic Novel”. Unfortunately, our expected time at that museum was 10 a.m. and the opening (for teachers) was set for 4 pm. Still, we put in a request for a Teacher’s Packet, and thought ‘maybe’ we could sneak a peak at the exhibit (behind the roped areas).

Well, we were fortunate to meet Kimberly Rawson, the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at the Rockwell Museum. I approached her for permission to tour the art gallery with Mrs. Baseman, and Ms. Rawson pleasantly agreed. However, when we learned that there were three graphic artists/authors present for the scheduled 11 a.m. press conference, we asked for the possible inclusion of our students, as members of the press conference audience.

Ms. Rawson was thrilled! This ‘filled the room’ for the Press Conference, which was attended by other writers, local press coverage and US! (We were even acknowledged in the introduction!)

At this conference, the authors Peter Kuper, Howard Cruse and Dave Sim spoke about their artwork and the rise of popularity and acceptance of the ‘graphic novel’.  There were numerous examples of each artist’s pieces as well as historical information on the development of this art form. (Mrs. Baseman, and I, both such shy people, managed to get in our questions of the artists.)

Overall, this was an awesome experience for all of us. This exhibit is now open in the Rockwell Museum through May 26, 2008. For more information, visit the website, www.nrm.org and it will link to the various programs. (For example, there are a number of educational programs for teachers and students.) Check and see some of the opportunities available.

Meanwhile – our trip to Mass MoCA also included some unusual views of art, which we displayed on by the art room and in the library, with the Lit Graphic materials.

In any case – it was a lot of fun as WELL as a great educational experience. So, if you don’t get a chance to ‘do’ field trips, perhaps this year, you should! Have fun!