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  • A LAB Update: September 2011
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  • The Lab E-Newsletter: Back to School/Fall 2010
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  • The Lab: Off to the races for 2nd Session! (January 30, 2011)

As I left my deep, rutted boot prints in the freshly fallen snow earlier this morning, I paused for a moment.  I began to wonder. Contemplating curiously is one of the most highly regarded values in Ivyland!  How do tiny snowflakes accumulate into piles and piles of snow with such a perfectly smooth surface?  I lifted the metal latch and swung open the rickety gate.  Snow was spread out before me, as if a baker had taken a spatula of white frosting and smeared it over the earth.  Yet, as I looked more closely, I saw dozens of different tracks sprinkled throughout the snow.  Some looked like rabbit paws.  Others seemed to capture little bird claws.  I wondered to myself, “Where did these animals come from?  I’ve walked this path hundreds of times and I rarely see any living creature apart from me.”  Snow has a way of revealing who has passed by. It records every movement.  Unless someone has freshly painted pink toes, cement doesn’t hold the same visible memory of its traveling guests.

The Lab seems to have snowish qualities.  Students who frequently pass through the world unnoticed end up leaving their mark here.  Invisible stories turn into beautiful works of art.  Self-portraits reveal kind hearts and wise eyes.  Poems invite words to be given to the long, often lonely journey through dark nights.  Dance reveals the passion and joy that’s been shackled deep within.

The creative spirit is wonder-ful.  It constantly asks us to be surprised by something new that’s been there all along.  It beckons us to see what is unseen.  It tempts us to devote our lives to unearthing hidden treasures.  May we notice all those passing through our lives, allowing each to gently imprint a snippet of their story on our own snow-covered hearts.

Shay Glorius L. Martin (aka GLO!) volunteered at the Lab for 2 years before becoming the full-time Creative Arts Specialist this school year.  We are so lucky that Glo moved back home to St. Paul from California with the sole purpose to make a difference in the lives of St. Paul youth.  We would not be the program we are today without his positive attitude, involvement, talent, heart and commitment to youth.Glo performed at the Lab’s first open house show for youth in October, 2008. The rest is history. I loved what I saw in Glo, and I knew immediately that I needed him at The LAB.  More importantly, I knew our youth needed him. I asked Glo if he would be interested in helping out at the Lab! With an emphatic “YES!!”, Glo began his journey into the world of 1 to 1 mentorships, facilitating small writing groups, and hosting our Enrichment shows at The LAB.

In addition to his life at The LAB, Glo carries this positive attitude and intention as he makes a difference in the world through his music. His music group, The Abstract Pack, has released a new album called, “Ear-Responsible“. Glo says that the name says it all.

“You have to be responsible as a role model, movie star, music star, athlete or just anybody that has put themselves in a position or profession that attracts the spot light of the masses.  You have to be accountable for how you represent yourselves and what you say. Kids listen and buy into what your selling – not because it’s right or wrong, but because of the attention you get. Everyone, deep inside, wants to feel loved and believe that people are paying attention and care about who they are”.

On the album “Ear Responsible”, six men with different backgrounds, upbringings, and ages have come together and made and album with positive messages and appropriate language as a statement. The result is outstanding. Get a leaked free version of “Ear-Responsible” by emailing the Pack at: abstractpack@packmaterial.net

We are very proud of and grateful for Glo at The Lab.  We are glad to see Glo and the Abstract Pack getting recognized for their efforts to make a difference in their communities and Glo wouldn’t have it any other way! For more info on The Abstract Pack please visit their website, www.packmaterial.net

Click here to Check out the Abstract Pack on Facebook to get up to speed on their upcoming shows!

“Hobson, Touch.  Hobson, High five” is instructed by one youth as Girl flashes by chasing down her ball and retrieving it to one of the youth. The Animal Assisted Education group has really opened up my eyes to the power of animals, specifically dogs in helping the youth acquire coping skills.  We have had five sessions now with some of the youth from Battle Creek and we asked them what they have learned from the dogs so far.  One youth spoke up right away that he learned patience.  “They are just dogs, they can’t help it, you just need to be patient when you are asking them to do something.  I have learned to be more patient in my life.” Another youth followed up with, “I don’t know what it is, but I am just really calm around them and now my dog at home is helping me to be more calm.” These are not skills which were overtly stated in group, but rather what the kids absorbed through the activities and interactions with the dogs. Read more

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