The story begins by inviting you to join an adventure in progress at an amazing outdoor sculpture museum. Distant cries of excitement draw you to an engaging voice encouraging a group of people to shout out ideas or physically become them. “A pin cushion!” “A Dandelion!”
You lock eyes with the facilitator and can’t help but join in. “A Disco Ball!” You curl yourself up and he smiles. This continues with others in the crowd and you feel enlightened and excited at the same time. You’re captivated by the process and can’t wait to move to the next piece of art. On the way to the next piece, the facilitator approaches you.
“So glad you joined in. Thanks again for coming – I’m Wally.”
Wally McGuire, dubbed the “Pied Piper of Storm King,” turns on an interest in art – a switch that is difficult to flip. Wally begins his tour by focusing on the essence of a work of art – he does this by engaging the imaginations of those looking upon it.
He has developed this unique method, which he refers to as “Making a heART connection with art”. It is this connection that is described in the encounter above – it opens people’s eyes to the power of their imagination as they attempt to continue the conversation that the initial artist began. When the day is done, this approach turns out to be beneficial no matter what the profession of those involved – because creators, in every field, need to know how to imagine unique connections and see new possibilities. Those who partake are often astounded and tend to remark, “Wow, Wally certainly is a character and this a method worth sharing with the world.”
Based on responses to the trailer with large and small audiences across the country, it is expected that ENGAGING THE IMAGINATION: WALLY’S WAY will be in high demand as an elegant educational documentary for use in classrooms and living rooms across the country. It will likely be broadcast on public television. The forty-four minute film with extra chapters is designed to provide maximum flexibility for designing instruction to match audience needs.
The budget of $81,000 for creating the documentary ENGAGING THE IMAGINATION: WALLY’S WAY reflects the fact that this is a not-for-profit venture designed by a creative team of experts in education, film (Declan Quinn and Allyson Johnson) and museum educators who have donated much of their time and expertise. With the in-kind support of artists, artists’ representatives and community members, and financial support from prior audiences, an Orange County government grant, and an anonymous foundation, we now seek other sponsors who value imagination and creativity.
The award-winning Independent Production Fund (IPF), a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity, is our fiscal sponsor. Contributions to the development and production of ENGAGING THE IMAGINATION: WALLY’S WAY are tax deductible. Supporters will be listed in the films credits, and will be identified in publicity and promotion for the program, including this website and outreach materials. Your support for the arts is appreciated through this wonderful film, which we hope will live on for years in living rooms and classrooms across the country.
Storm King Art Center in Mountainville, NY is a 500-hundred acre museum of landscaped fields, rolling hills, meadows and woodlands that are carefully designed to showcase more than 100 post World War II sculptures by internationally renowned artists. This outdoor sculpture part has received international acclaim. It is the location for most of the film.
“Wally’s Way” reveals a wide variety of strategies for guiding a diverse audience, kids to adults, to find their own meaning in works of art. For this public audience, it serves to open the imagination and begins to unlock avenues for deeper appreciation of the great collection of works beautifully showcased in this film. For teachers, it models great ways to engage learners with works of art and thus is a film most worthy of support.” – Dr. Karen Carroll, Dean, Center for Art Education at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
“Thank you Mr. McGuire for letting us get the feeling of art.” – Heather, grade 3
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