Photo by Mary Comiskey, The Northfield News The audience at the Sullivan Dessert and Discussion group was asked to participate in a creative exercise. Martha Matheson, left, and Phyllis Higgins enjoy the moment. Five of the eighteen juried artists who are currently exhibiting their works in Norwich University's Sullivan Museum and History Center summer exhibit, Cultivating Your Creativity, shared some of the ways they spark their creative juices.

The artists were challenged to find inspiration for a new work after reviewing a number of historical artifacts from the museum collection.

Museum Director Marilyn C. Solvey introduced the group to some of the current theories and literature written about the source of creativity.

Experts feel that creativity may be inborn for some people, but allows that the environment can be the source of creativity for others. This might explain the motives of the young boy who would sneak a colander and a flashlight into his bedroom at night to make star patterns on the ceiling.

The creator of The Lyon King was inspired by dancing corn dogs at a drive-in theatre. Most experts agree that creativity is an important essence of being.

Before presenting the artists to the group, Dr. Solvey led the audience in an exercise in creativity.

Since there are no right or wrong answers the group enjoyed free expression.

Jason Baldwin, Assistant Professor of Art and Studio Arts Coordinator at Norwich University found the source of his creativity in a box of treasures given to him by his Mother. He uses the items to spark an idea that he invents over and over in different ways. This is combined with a good work ethic that becomes a finished piece or many pieces.

His work, "Wounds Heal…Memories Don't" is interpreted using book pages, string and acrylics.

Phyllis Gosling Greenway, an artist and teacher now living in Northfield, knows that you have to love to find expression for yourself.

For her the source of creativity is visceral. It develops after meditation on an object and taking its shape into your mind, reinventing it and placing it somewhere else. She says that you can take risks and not stay in the lines! Armor is a mixed media study of an ancient Chinese piece of armor.

Don LaHue, a Northfield resident, spoke about the preservation of imagination. He feels that one must challenge one's own comfort zone. A photographer and car restorer, Mr. LeHue enjoys watching people's reactions to his work. His sculpture, Dr. Strangelove, is an expression of his quest for fun.

Robin LaHue finds power in creativity and bringing her ideas to life. Much of her inspiration comes from stories that her Grandmother told. She is always learning and experimenting with her works. Part of the creative process is learning to overcome fear and let the inner child lose its inhibitions. You Zig and I'll Zag is an oil on canvas.

Barbara E.M. Scotch, a native of Switzerland now living in Montpelier, feels that art is a language. It is her primary language since she is fluent in several. Painting and sketching have always been an important part of her life. She always carries a small sketchpad to capture the thought or the object she sees.

Sometimes inspiration comes as unbidden thoughts or from music. Her interpretation of a large shell, "Shrapnel," is worked in acrylic with collage.

The people seated in the audience were eager to express themselves. Some of the thoughts expressed included the following statements and observations. "The creative process is thought." "Iuse sleeping to refine my creative thoughts." Steve Fitzhugh said: "Engineering is an art. We create things that didn't exist before. We simplify the design and make it more elegant."

Another said: "It changes me as a person." "You have to…" "Repetition in art is equal to meter in poetry."

Following the discussion the group moved into the gallery space to mingle with the artists and enjoy their work. The artifact and the interpretive pieces are paired in the exhibit space. The artist has prepared a printed statement allowing the viewer a glimpse into the artist's source of inspiration. The exhibit is

The second desert and discussion in the series will be held on July 15th, 2009 at 6:30 P.M. in the museum rotunda. The topic will be, "Nurturing the Creative." The third in the series will be held on July 29th. The exhibit is on view until August 28, 2009.