“THE POWER OF ART” RAUSCHENBERG AWARDEES On May 16th, Sharon participated in a workshop sponsored by the Lab School of Washington (D.C.) and the Robert Rauschenburg Foundation (New York). The workshop was the outcome of a national competition among art educators who currently teach exceptional learners. Out of over 400 hundred applications, 32 art educators were selected from 26 different states including the District of Columbia. All educational levels were represented from elementary to high school, and there was a balanced representation of genders and cultures among the recipients of this prestigious award. In addition to attendance to the day-long workshop, Dr. King received a certificate, a signed Rauschenberg print for personal collection, and a gift of $550.00 to be used for her special art classes at Glen Haven and Maryvale Elementary schools in Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland. Unfortunately, both the founder of the Lab School and the Foundation were unable to attend due to their untimely deaths this year. Lab School Founder Professor Sally L. Smith transitioned in January, 2008. International artist and foundation founder Robert Rauschenberg transitioned on May 12, 2008 at the age of eighty-two. However in the spirit of his father, and representing the family, his son Chris Rauschenberg and his wife attended all of the events. Their commitment and dedication to the work of his father, and Chris’ accessibility to recipients and students at the Lab School, was highly appreciated by all. There were so many great moments throughout the day. The tour of the school’s two D.C. locations; the discussion with artist/teacher and the students; the reception and dinner at the Corcoran Gallery; the scenic night tour of Washington, D.C. All were wonderful opportunities to exchange ideas between lovers of teaching and learning through the arts. But, there was one event that stood out from all the rest. In the afternoon, there was a skit performed in collaboration between students and teachers. The skit depicted a huge puppet of an advocate for standardized teaching and structured learning under the guise of “No Child Left Behind”. To save the world, two enormous puppets – Sally and Robert – entered a battle with the grim reaper of ‘normalcy’…and they win, saving the world from the mundane and a drab existence of “artless-ness! The skit ended with musicians leading everyone in singing “Will The Circle Be Unbroken?”…amid the cheers and tears of everyone in attendance. What a wonderful memorial service for both Sally and Robert. The grief had been replaced with genius; the mourning had been turned into laughter. Everyone left the gymnasium with a sense of comic relief and spiritual belief in the power of aesthetics to save the best of humanity. Many thanks are given to the faculty and administrators of the Lab School for their continued work and dedication. A special thanks to Sally Seawright, who came back from retirement to steer the school until a new director is capable of continuing Sally’s vision. Finally, many thanks to the creative genius of human beings who resist the temptations of conformity…and dare to think beyond the prescribed life of “boxed-in order”. Sharon often tells her students, “Life is neither linear, neat, nor tidy”. Now she will add, “We all suffer from some form of ‘learning disorder’. When one has to have “all” the money, “all” of the land, “all” of the attention – whether it is an individual or a nation – there is definitely a learning disorder in the midst. Wouldn’t it be delightful if the Lab School was a model of community building for “all” nations????? For more information about: The Lab School of Washington, go to www.labschool.org or Professor Sally L. Smith or Robert Rauschenberg, simply GOOGLE their names…and enjoy discovering a very special world…created by very special people!
Recipients “empathize” with students with physical challenges by using oven mitts to complete an assignment… opening a bottle of aspirins or glue stick.	Artist/educator Mark Jarvis and student discuss architectural design class.	The entrance of the puppet of Professor Smith, to the rescue of children impacted by “No Child Left Behind”.
Puppet of artist Robert Rauschenberg comes to the aid of Professor “Sally” against their mutual foe "No Child Left Behind".	Together, they defeat the foe against creativity, to the delight of the children and the audience.	One of the hallways within the school consisting of paintings, sculpture, collages, papier mache.
Artist/educator Amy displays work done by students in animation class.	Lab School Campus, located located at 4759 Reservoir Road, N.W. Washington, D.C.	Painting by Rauschenberg celebrating the event in 2005.
Entrance to the Lab School’s vast campus located at 4759 Reservoir Road, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20007	Students demonstrate the importance of kinesthetics to academic learning.	Awardees enjoy the many demonstrations by students.