Once a week since October 2001 Susan Briggs has welcomed me into her art classes at a K-5 school in Dearborn, Michigan. From Susan I have learned how creative and inspired youth art classes can be. I have seen children encouraged to tap into their imaginations and work with a professionalism I would have thought impossible for their age. Of course not all of them took advantage of this opportunity, but enough did to help me see what is possible.

After having taught art to adults in a community center, I know how many of us carry wounds from childhood art teachers who made us feel we didn't do it "right," whatever that is. I don't believe any of Susan's students will carry such wounds into adulthood. In Susan's classes students learn that "right" is more about process than product. She is all about effort and attention rather than perfection. Originality always takes precedence over set ways of doing things. What lucky children to have such a start! And how fortunate I've been to learn from Susan as well.

Today (Thursday) was my last day of classes with Susan and these children I love so much. Next week I'll be starting my work with the elders at Hannan House, a Senior Learning Center in Detroit. The director and social work staff have accepted my proposal to take photographs of the participants in their classes. I'm anticipating these photos will become a new portfolio of work. I am very excited about this opportunity, but it's still hard to say goodbye to Susan and the children. Ah, transitions...