Carol Saylor at the Noyes Museum

My friend and colleague, Carol Saylor will have an exhibit at the beautiful Noyes Museum in Oceanville , NJ. Her blindness and deafness do not define who she is as a person or as an artist. Her one day hands on workshop offers a unique opportunity to spend the day with Carol to share her talent, humor and spirit.She is witty, honest and awe inspiring! Please join her. The registration form is available on the Noyes Museum website.

2011 Teachers' Workshop
Touch Beyond Sight
Presented by the artist Carol Saylor
http://www.carolsaylor.com/
Monday, March 21, 9am–2:30 pm,
$50 register online
5 professional development hours

An inclusive workshop designed to broaden the horizons of teachers and their students by enriching the experience of art through the use of touch, description and imagination. Originally conceived as artwork for the blind, this is art that is meant to be touched and can be used to expand the accessibility of art to underserved populations. An enjoyable workshop and a great opportunity to gather new ideas for expanding the curriculum try some creative art activities and meet other teachers. Light morning refreshments & lunch included.

733 Lily Lake Road, Oceanville, NJ, 08231
(609) 652-8848

Registration form
http://noyesmuseum.org/teachers_wksp.html

"The Art of Living": Infinite Hope and Strength

Carol Saylor is an artist. She used to paint and draw but has focused her efforts, as of late, on sculpting. Her work is exquisite and is meant to be touched, gently handled and "experienced." Some of her recent works resemble organic vessels that conceal delicately sculpted figures, faces, tear drops and other hidden objects. Unlike most art, Carol's work is intended to be caressed and explored. When you reach inside the clay forms, your hands discover unexpected treasures.

Carol painstakingly and lovingly creates figures that evoke a sense of sorrow, intense joy and beauty. Several of her pieces were inspired by Carol's youngest child, Alice, who succumbed to cancer in her early thirties, leaving behind three young daughters and a husband. Her absence is evident and still greatly felt.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Carol Saylor this past week.It was marked by incessant conversation and laughter. Her home and her art are reflective of her energy and spirit. I believe Carol is uncomfortable continuously hearing that she providesincredible inspiration to others. For Carol, being blind and deaf, is "inconvenient" and "annoying." She is very matter of fact about the "choice" to live fully in the face of such obstacles.

Carol's "story" may seem tragic in some ways but it is incredibly wonderful as well. The "tragedy" is more a result of the loss of two children and her husband, than the loss of her vision and hearing. Carol seems to have drawn unimaginable strength from her art and her desire to live not only for herself but for her surviving and beloved children and grandchildren.

I hope that you will take time to view Carol Saylor's website: http://www.carolsaylor.com/ and watch her two part "youtube" video where she talks about her art, life and family. Carol generates most of her income from speaking engagements. She is eloquent and powerful in her thoughts and words. Technology enables her to "hear" and to effectively communicate. Carol was sighted and able to hear for some forty years. Her experience and perspective, having lived in "both" worlds, is manifested in more than just her impressive body of art work.

Carol Saylor is talented and inspiring and has chosen to embrace life and its "possibilities".

My visit with her was a gift.

"May you always "see" beauty in the world around you."

"Seeing" is a matter of perception.

Carol Saylor has never lost "sight" of what is most valuable.

Enjoy! -Jude