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The Tao of GRACE As an original community arts program, GRACE receives many requests for assistance from individuals and groups across the country interested in developing similar programs. Whether by sharing the workshop process with interested persons, giving phone consultations or mailing GRACE information to those far from Vermont, sharing the model of the workshop program has become GRACE’s “training program”. The GRACE style of training, not surprisingly, follows a similar style to that of the workshops. This approach happens to be the style of Lao Tzu’s Te-Tao-Ching. Action is really a sort of inaction. Inaction doesn’t really mean no action whatsoever, but action that is allowed to happen naturally, without forced or meddlesome efforts. A bit more specifically, The Tao encourages refraining from activity contrary to Nature or going against the grain of things. This is the intrinsic nature of the GRACE program. As each workshop has its own personality, so does each individual requesting assistance from GRACE. Providing each prospective trainee with a "training packet" would go against the grain of things. So this process of familiarizing others and making them feel comfortable with the GRACE way is handled a little bit differently. When someone expresses an interest in GRACE, we send them a packet of written materials. This packet may contains newspaper and magazine articles, letters of support and GRACE newsletters written by staff members. This range of material provides insight from many different perspectives as well as the history of the program, the GRACE mission and the communities with whom we work. Those interested in the GRACE program are always encouraged to attend workshops. There are no required number, of course, but since each is unique, more is better. At the workshops, we encourage visitors to relax and observe rather than to try to help. The environment is creative and informal, so dialogue with participants is a great way to get a feel for how the workshops are run. Once an artist starts working, however, everyone must back away and let that “special silence” take over. It is what we strive for and treasure during GRACE workshops. Usually we set aside a time to get together with visitors and talk about the workshops. Questions often arise about the GRACE “method” - the “shoulds” and “should nots”. As the GRACE Way encourages allowing things to happen naturally, there really are not many rules. GRACE follows some basis instinctive guidelines and shares these with trainees, volunteers and others attending workshops. The most important of these guidelines is a GRACE motto: "Be yourself and do it your own way". GRACE staff members are not teachers but artists working to share and encourage creativity in others. As people working with people, we learn as much from workshop participants as they learn from us, or perhaps even more. By not teaching and by encouraging participants to be themselves, GRACE facilitates and encourages the process of self-discovery. * * * “After seeing a GRACE exhibit at the Brattleboro Art Museum a few years ago, and being reminded of it later by a friend, I was inspired to begin an art workshop myself at our local Adult Day Care Center. In December, I came to St. Johnsbury to observe two GRACE workshops being facilitated by Michael Gray. As an art teacher myself, I was immediately struck by his lack of “instruction” which contributed to the studio feel of the sessions. Everyone was working away on their own project at their own pace. So I experienced right off the value of being a facilitator instead of an instructor. This is the feeling that I have tried to bring to our Center here. Once a week, we start the morning by laying out art materials, some pictures to look at for inspiration, and ears wide open for stories that might turn into pictures. This really has been a success, and I want to thank GRACE for being such an inspiration.” - Terry Sylvester, artist |
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