Quimby: Samara Yandell
Samara Yandell, our 2022 Quimby Fellowship awardee, attended a two-week workshop at Haystack with Midwestern ceramic artist and educator Chandra Debuse.
December 2019: Hmmm, I think I’ll apply to that Haystack scholarship through the MAEA, that could be fun!
February 2020: OMG I can’t believe that I was awarded the Quimby Foundation Fellowship — I’m so excited (cue happy tears)!
April 2020: This COVID-19 thing is looking pretty serious, I hope they don’t cancel Haystack…
May 2020: OMG Haystack is canceled (cue sad tears)! Oh well, hopefully I can go next year.
May 2021: Argh! Haystack is still not opening, I’ll never get to go (cue more sad tears).
February 2022: Fingers crossed, just applied for my ceramics session. I hope they don’t cancel again!
August 2022: After much anticipation (and several negative COVID tests) my two week session with the amazing Chandra Debuse at Haystack was everything I hoped it would be. I learned new techniques using materials that pushed me out of my comfort zone. I was able to dive deeply into mid range porcelain and explore a more illustrative style of work that I know my students will LOVE! Unlimited access to studio time (and healthy food!) gave me a much needed respite from the past challenging few years as a middle school teacher. I met incredible teachers and artists who inspired me, challenged me, and made me remember why being an art teacher is my dream job — just in time to return to Biddeford Middle School with a whole new set of skills to share.
To the MAEA, the Quimby Family Foundation, and Haystack: thank you from the bottom of my heart for this incredible opportunity. The skills and lessons I learned will stay with me always. I look forward to giving back to the MAEA so that future art educators in Maine can benefit from the support of our professional association.