The Marshall Fund for the Creative Arts inspires Applewild with its artist-in-residence programs.

The Marshall Fund For The Creative Arts is committed to giving hands-on creative experiences in visual arts, dance, drama, music and creative writing to Applewild students. Bill and Donna Marshall created the fund in 2001 for the purpose of leaving a legacy in the creative arts for the Applewild community. Bill Marshall was retiring as Head of School, and Donna had recently retired as lower school Art teacher.

In order to choose an artist for a residency, a committee comprised of faculty members reviews proposals that have been submitted by parents, trustees, community members and teachers. Members of this committee include heads of school, representatives from visual arts, drama and music departments, and teachers of a multiple of grade levels and subject areas. Each proposal is reviewed by the Marshall Fund Committee in terms of the artist’s ability to meet the criteria established by the fund.

The residency must be a hands-on experience for children, enrich the current curriculum and allow for follow-up activities. Residencies can vary in length and in artistic discipline. Visual artists, dancers, puppeteers, and musicians have visited Applewild and shared their craft. During Applewild’s Jubilee year last year, ceramic muralist Rob Rossel worked with the entire Applewild community to create two tile nature murals consisting of over 400 tiles created by students and staff. These murals can be seen in the foyers of the Ansin and Marshall buildings.

Sarah Haskell, a weaver from York, Me. was one of our Artist in Residence sponsored by the Marshall Fund. Sarah worked with all of the Lower School children and staff to create a Mandala, or circle weaving. Each child created a clothespin person for the weaving, helped choose the colors and patterns and wove part of the large circle on the loom. The figures on the weaving represent our diversity and our sense of being one community here at Applewild. The children also created their own personal weaving piece and wrote about their work. Sarah has shared her expertise throughout New England, working in schools, hospitals, and nursing home as well as teaching in local colleges. Our Mandal weaving is now a permanent piece of art in the Marshall building.