Day 5: Deep thoughts

The spring JAMS art project is coming into focus as individual totem-ish structures of "found objects," embodying artists' ideas of themselves and the world around them. You know, who are you and why are you on this planet and could you please interpret that with a 3-D art piece preferably made of trash? No small feat, but the JAMS artists are up to the challenge. Yesterday art director Cathy led a painting exercise on "vertical storytelling"--a ladder of symbols that tells a tale, as with totem poles. And on-staff literary maven Jane led a writing exercise: describe your favorite place without naming it. Here's what apprentice artist Randall, age 15, wrote:

"All of these gateways opening and closing before my eyes. The comfort in the chairs and the safety of the walls. So many ways to escape this place but still be safely here. Tethered here but gone so far away. So intense you can taste the food, smell the aromas. I can hear the voices of the people of those places. The excitement, the fear, the depression and joy--you feel them all. And just know that, if you so choose, you can take one gateway with you."

Randall's favorite place? The library.