Studio 9170, a community art space, has blossomed into a thriving common ground for a group of artists. The group consists of retired art teachers, grandmothers, former corporate executives and professional artists. The studio is open by appointment and on the first Tuesday of each month to view the artists at work. Each artist-in-residence, all chosen by an extensive interview process, occupies a 14-by-14-foot space in the unassuming building where they create art. For the artists, though, the space gives them a place to come together as a community to create and work. The studio is closed to the public except twice a year for their art shows. Nancy Smitherman is one of the original artists who occupies a space at Studio 9170. Nancy began her career as an art teacher in the Caddo Parish school system. As an accomplished artist, Nancy is passionate about creating. She received her BS degree in Art Education from Louisiana State University and continued her education at Southern Methodist University studying printmaking, drawing and pottery. Nancy also studied water color and pottery at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She has studied under various outstanding artists such as Doug Walton, Wolf Kahn, and Ann Templeton.  

Reflecting a sense of a “new impressionism” which vibrates with excitement, vitality and dimension, her paintings come alive as her representation of the real world is combined with the vigor of unexpected color.  Most viewers cannot pass her paintings without being captivated by their uniqueness.  Her paintings hang in both private and corporate collections.  She began painting when she was nine years old with her grandmother who was also an artist.  It was always her desire to “be an artist” when she grew up.  Many of her compositions were done on location with other artists as they traveled in France, Greece, Guatemala, and San Miguel, Mexico. Giving back through the teaching the arts is part of Nancy’s passion. In her current teachings, Nancy’s students learned shapes, proportions, patterns and texture. As well as what they needed in their hearts to be the best people they can be. Noting of her classes, Nancy states, “Art promotes kindness, patience and love. The greatest compliment my clients can give me is to say my paintings sing to them when they look at them. The beauty I see in creation inspires me and I consider it a privilege to attempt to reflect the divine in my work.”

Nancy Smitherman Art
https://www.facebook.com/artbynancysmitherman/ 

Studio 9170
https://www.facebook.com/Studio-9170-305839276209850/

The Path of Passion: From teacher to educator to advocate
Kristen D. Bruce, M.Ed.

When I first started teaching, I was 23 years old, fresh out of college, expecting my first child, and completely clueless as to what it meant to be an educator. December 1999, I walked into my first classroom. It felt as if my time had finally come. No longer was I the student. I was on the cusp of a new life with a new family and a new career in a new year, a new century, and a new millennium. It was such an auspicious time. I was ready to “change the world, one child at a time”. In truth, however, it was they who changed me, one piece at a time.

At first, I was a teacher. I was the captain of my ship. After all, I knew best. Right? I had the college degree. I was trained for this. Well, yes, but I wasn\’t getting the results I wanted. I wasn\’t connecting with the students. I expected that all of my students would be little sponges and soak up all of the wonderful knowledge that I so graciously imparted upon them. I mean, that is exactly what I did as a student. It was then that I truly understood my mistake: I had neglected the most important piece of any lesson – the student. So, instead of standing apart from my students as some magnanimous monolith in the front of the classroom who simply spoke at them, I began to listen. I learned about their interests. I incorporated those interests into my lessons. I celebrated their successes, and I mourned their failures. We struggled together, and we supported each other. This is when I became a true educator. No longer did I teach English to my students. As one of my former students so eloquently stated, “we do this learning thing together.”

Fast forward to 2018. It started out as just another year: new group of students, new relationships, new challenges. We hit the ground running from day one and never looked back. Very quickly, though, my “just another year” became an adventure that I refer to as “Expedition LaStoy”. First, I was named Teacher of the Year for Pickering High School. A couple months later, Vernon Parish High School Teacher of the Year. A few months later, Louisiana State Teacher of the Year Semi-finalist. And, a few months later, Louisiana State Teacher of the Year Finalist. It was a whirlwind of applications, interviews, meetings, socials, conference calls, mentoring sessions, photo shoots, and amazing people who have become my family. This country girl from the “Home of Fort Polk” and the “Gateway to Toledo Bend” actually got to walk down a red carpet. It was a life-changing series of events that was one of the most difficult and most rewarding things I have ever experienced.

In the midst of the pomp and circumstance, all of the finalists were charged with finding their passion, the one need that we recognize within the educational system and that we would commit to change. In the words of Spencer Kiper, the 2019 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year, “find your do something!” In that moment, I became an advocate. I became an outspoken, unwavering, and diligent supporter of every student in my school, in my district, in my state. It was also in that moment that I discovered my true passion, and #InformedChoices was born.

Under this program, students will receive guidance in choosing the appropriate diploma pathway. Through structured activities, interest inventories, career planning, internships, one-to-one mentoring, etc., students will make informed decisions about their future career paths and the best colleges or technical schools to help them reach their goals. At this time, students on the college readiness pathway have the opportunity to graduate from high school with an associate’s degree and a massive head start on their career path. However, students on the Jump Start pathway have no such initiative. Through this program, I hope to form partnerships with technical schools to offer coursework to high school students and affording them the opportunities to earn certificates that make them job-ready upon graduation. It is time that we give all of our students a true purpose for their education and a direction for their future. Not every student is “cut out” for college. We, as teachers, educators, and advocates need to clear the path for every student, every day, no matter the path they choose. That is my passion, and that is my promise. Every child, Every day, Whatever it takes!!

Lisa Rowell

Julianna Grace Ministry and the Cradle Me Campaign

Lisa Rowell has become the face of hope, comfort, and encouragement in the child loss community.  She founded the Julianna Grace Ministry and the Cradle Me Campaign. The Julianna Grace Ministry provides grieving baskets to mothers or families who have lost babies due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant loss. The Cradle Me Campaign raises funds to help provide hospitals with an in-room cooling device to assist and encourage families to bond with their babies who are born still.

In 2013, after she gave birth to a stillborn baby girl Julianna, a woman she had never met came to her hospital room with a basket filled with literature, scripture, music, a necklace, and other items of comfort. This basket became the means to help Lisa survive the death of her baby. Because of the hope she received, Lisa founded the Julianna Grace Ministry a month later. This ministry has provided grieving baskets locally, nationally, and internationally. Lisa has had the opportunity to counsel friends and families on how to prepare baskets or minister to families who are grieving.  This ministry has helped over 200 families since 2013.

After giving birth to Julianna, Lisa was able to hold her only once. Being in shock, exhausted from giving birth, and grieving the loss of her daughter, she was emotionally unable to decide to spend more time with her baby. This decision is one Lisa has regretted feeling robbed of her time with Julianna. She later learned about a medical device that is available to help families have time to bond, love on their baby, and make memories before saying goodbye. In 2017, Lisa founded the Northwest Louisiana Cradle Me Campaign; she raised funds to place a cuddle cot at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Medical Center and is currently raising funds to place a caring cradle at Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System.