Photo by Mary Comiskey, The Northfield News Angelo Arnold, left, Alex Bottinelli, Sabra Field, Delia Robinson and Romy Scheroder form the panel for the most recent discussion at the Sullivan. The second presentation in the Summer Program series at the Sullivan Museum and History Center that included dessert and discussion was "Nurturing the Creative."

Marilyn C. Solvay, PhD welcomed the attendees. She reminded the group that the works currently on display were inspired by stories.

Dr. Solvey selected 15 juried artists and commissioned them to find inspiration for an original work after viewing a number of artifacts from the Museum collection. These works are now on display at the Museum.

She began the discussion by presenting elements of creativity and a creative person. Buffalo State College has a center, which is studying creativity and creative people. Their studies have found that creative people seem to be curious, like new concepts, develop creative thinking skills, solve problems, make connections, and likes to develop new ideas. Artist sometimes find that they are temporarily stopped by a lack of inspiration. The panel of artists was prepared to share their creative experiences after suffering a creative bloc.

Angelo Arnold, a sculptor and professor of Art at Norwich University, finds inspiration from his childhood memories. He recalled the untouchable and formal furniture in his family's homes. His work is to sketch and design non-functional furniture. He has an incubation period before he begins a piece. The remainders from his construction often lead to new ideas. Arnold enjoys his happy accidents. His sculpture is entitled, "Home Front" was created from a nurse's hat.

Alex Bottinelli created a triptych inspired by a manual typewriter. The mixed media work is entitled "our typewriters who art in heaven". Ms. Bottinelli finds inspiration from all the stuff around her. She makes collections of objects that strike her fancy and combines them in creative ways that please herself. This artist came to her work while she was an adult college student. Her art teacher told her that you don't need to paint and draw to be an artist.

Delia Robinson enjoys using her personal vocabulary to show what is hidden. For her, creativity is a lifelong way of living, a kind of purposeful doing. Creativity must come from the heart. She has too many ideas and is willing to accept all challenges. "I see the divinity of art in everything." "History Lost in Time-Roller Towel Version" is a multi-layered, textural, towel worked in mixed-media after inspiration from a typewriter. It is a piece of art that can be handled.

Romy Scheroder, a teacher at Green Mountain College, built a sculpture from a found wooden rocker, batting and hemp. Her work, "Shuck and Jive", was created after studying a mammy's bench. She makes sculptures from found objects and antiques that hold the subtle texture of time. Conversation with each piece tells her when it is finished. She has learned to continue to work when her creative juices are not flowing.

Sabra Field was a juror for "Inspired by Stories." She is a well known artist who has been named "A Living Treasure" by The Shelburne Crafts School.

Ms. Field is well known for her woodcuts and use of electronic medium of IRIS ink jet prints. A type A personality, she is driven to finish every print she makes. She feels one becomes better when one continues to try something new. "Dream, it might come true", she advised. Printmaking is her business that is shared with her supportive husband, allowing her to be paid to play. When she faces a momentary bloc, she takes a nap.

A lively discussion followed the presentations. The audience agreed that there are multiple right answers. Creativity is not limited to art. One must jump in and let it happen. Nurture the rebel! Happiness is finding your personal continuum. Following the discussion, the audience visited the gallery to enjoy the art.

The final discussion in the series will be held on July 29 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Museum Rotonda. The topic will be "Harvesting the Creative."