Hardcore Painting.Com: Experiments in Creativity

The New Footbag Craze: Something Is Happening in the Hallways

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Fri, 15 May 2026 17:04:27 +0000

The New Footbag Craze: Something Is Happening in the Hallways After nearly three decades of trying to get people to kick, I find myself suddenly in the middle of something extraordinary: a footbag craze among my high school students. It is happening right now in the hallways of my school in Ontario, and across North America. Students who have nothing obvious in common are now forming circles, asking for tips, asking for help, asking to borrow a bag. I haven’t seen this much excitement about playing “Hacky Sack” since the 80’s. I have always believed that footbag is not really about footbag. It is about what humans do when you give them a simple, cooperative, screen-free reason to stand close to each other and try. That is what a footbag circle actually is: an open invitation with no prerequisites. You do not need to be good. You do not need to speak the same language, share the same politics, or know each other's names. You just need to try. And when you do, something quietly remarkable happens. People stop performing for their phones and start paying attention to each other. Cell phones get pocketed. Competitive instincts soften. Strangers become collaborators. The only shared goal is keeping something aloft, together, for one more kick. I have watched this collaboration happen across cultures and across continents, and the dynamic is always the same. But watching it happen with a generation that grew up tethered to screens, seeing them choose a circle over a device, choose collaboration over competition, choose to try something they might fail at in front of their peers, that is something else entirely. It just required someone willing to step into the circle and kick. Keep kicking.

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:55:00 +0000

Contributions to Canadian Arts and Culture

It's been years since I created a new post for this blog! I've since move to Canada and have been pretty busy setting up a new life here. Since becoming a permanent resident in 2023, I have secured a contract position teaching Visual Art at East Elgin Secondary School in Aylmer, Ontario, where I have dedicated myself to establishing myself as an artist and enriching Canadian arts and culture. Through public art education, community engagement, and cross-cultural dialogue, my students and I have created public artworks that celebrate Canadian identity, honour Indigenous voices, and bridge diverse communities through collaborative creativity. This post highlights much of my work here in Canada.

Mennonite History Mural- This mural was created by my Low German students in the ASPIRE program at EESS in January 2023. The mural panels, designed to resemble a traditional quilt, tell the history of Mennonite migration to Canada.

A story about the mural appeared in the London Free Press: https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/low-german-mennonite-students-trace-their-history-with-high-school-mural

Each panel of the quilt contains QR codes whish students can scan to find out more about Mennonite history and culture.

We have also been fortunate to receive attention from our local media:

“On Guard for Thee”-was a mural project created by my 10^th grade Art class.

Students were asked to create large self portraits with a Canadian flag theme. When hung together the 32 paintings are meant to resemble a huge Canadian flag.

Our area Royal Canadian Legions and Straffordville Hall Foundation donated $2000 to our Visual art program to help us create this huge, patriotic mural which was unveiled at the Old Imperial Market in Aylmer June 9, 2025 at a public reception. TVDSB story here.

On 6/28/25 the community attended a public reception to honour the students where MP Andrew Lawton, MPP Rob Flack, and Councillor Kathryn DesRosiers publicly praised their work and congratulated the students.

MP Andrew Lawton also mentioned and praised the mural project in a speech on the floor of the House of Commons in Ottawa. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17qqMv3KS4/

Media Coverage: We also were honoured to receive significant media attention from print and broadcast media outlets including from the CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/aylmer-art-students-recognized-by-community-for-creating-their-own-cultural-mosaic-1.7565558

________________________________________

“Forge and Fabrics” was a community outreach event that I organized at East Elgin Secondary school. This was paid for by a grant that I obtained from the Thames Valley District School Board. It featured blacksmithing and quilting demonstrations, as well as free Mennonite chicken noodle soup. As this event targeted the Mennonite community to help increase student enrollment, a radio ad was also commissioned and aired on the Low German language radio station,105.9 "De Brigj Radio" in Aylmer, ON

Science Mural: 1/25. My 9^th grade art class and I worked closely with their science teacher to create a mural based off their science curriculum in this cross-curricular project.

China Art Exchange: In April and November of 2025, my 9^th grade art class from East Elgin Secondary School held a video conferences / Art exchanges with a school in Maoming, China (population 6 million). Both classes gave presentations about their lives, cultures and communities and had energetic discussions about what they like to do for fun! We also shared art lessons, and the Chinese taught us about Tai chi and calligraphy. Our students took this seriously and represented Canada, the proud farming community of Aylmer, and East Elgin Secondary School with pride and distinction.

Aylmer Christmas Parade Float: Embracing their Mennonite faith, students in my ASPIRE art class created and presented a Nativity themed float for the 2025 Aylmer Christmas parade.

Field Stencil Painting: In fall 2025, East Elgin Art students designed and created stencils of our school mascot to paint on the football field in preparation for a big home game. This was a first for our school and it was well received by the community.

“Nayshkimwin: Sustained Voices”was an Indigenous art exhibition that I organized and curated which featured the work of 6 indigenous artists from Southern Ontario. This was the inaugural exhibition at the newly expanded Periscope Playhouse Gallery in Port Burwell, ON. This video shows the well attended public reception on June 1^st, 2025 which also featured two indigenous dancers: https://youtu.be/2hJLyf0tr90?si=Gp23y5pZd68NsBS3

Upcoming Creative Activities:

Feb. 19, 2026 - Guest on "It Starts With You" video podcast with host Michele Younge, Director of Thames Valley District School Board's Human Rights & Equity Office, discussing how art education can celebrate and promote the Ontario Human Rights Code and unify the community.

April 1, 2026 - Keynote Speaker at TVDSB's Human Rights Symposium ~ for 100 students and faculty from district secondary schools. Presentation will share my international experience using art for diplomacy and peace initiatives while highlighting what makes Ontario's Human Rights Code unique and worth celebrating. Following the presentation, students will create "Brushstrokes of Belonging: Creating a Culture of Human Rights"—a large-scale collaborative Canadian flag painting where participants first write about the Code directly on a 10’ x 5’ canvas with Sharpie, then expressively paint over it, infusing the text with vibrant acrylics to create a meaningful, energetic artwork. Design Plan Below:

My New Artwork: I created these three new pieces in December 2025 for an exhibition at 100 Kellogg Lane in London, Ontario in May of 2026. The theme of these works are meant to help inspire my students academic work ethic and encourage education. All are carved from painted wood using a mini grinder and chisels, these pieces deliberately employ industrial hand tools to create images about intellectual labor. This choice feels especially urgent in an era of artificial intelligence: the physicality of the carving process—the dust, the resistance of the material, the marks left by each tool—insists on the irreplaceable value of human effort and collaboration.

In 'Foundations,' women gather not to lay bricks but to build something more enduring, a foundation of knowledge. These women aren't just reading; they're constructing something for future generations to build upon, reminding us that lasting progress requires both the hard work of individuals and the collective vision to imagine what's possible. 48"h x 36"w

'Worthy Burden' features a labourer carrying books rather than bricks. He stands tall, ready to build something more enduring, a foundation of knowledge. This worker isn’t just reading; he stands ready to construct something for future generations to build upon, reminding us that lasting progress requires both the hard work of individuals and the collective vision to imagine what's possible. 32"h x 20"w

In ‘We Builders', people gather not to lay bricks but to build something more enduring, a foundation of knowledge. These people aren't just reading; they're constructing bridges of opportunity for future generations to build upon, reminding us that lasting progress requires both the hard work of individuals and the collective vision to imagine what's possible. 48"h x 72"w

Thank you for viewing my work in Canada!

Sincerely, Robert Ponzio

See more at my website:

https://www.innovativeacademic.com/

Video submission for #dearMoonCrew application

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 13:51:00 +0000

My essays and application to become part of the #dearMoonCrew are in!

In the event I make it further in the application process, I created this one-minute video to tell the #dearMoon project a little more about myself. It was very tough summing up a life of art and citizen diplomacy activities into a one-minute video!

Below are the two, 300 word essays I wrote for my application:

Fingers crossed I make it to the next step!

I'm ready!

Wish me luck and thanks for reading,

PONZ

It's been a long time. The

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 02:03:00 +0000

Hello again Blogger. I used to use this page and somehow drifted away. I can't remember the last time I logged in, but being here again made me realize that I miss it. Going forward, I think I'm back!

A lot has happened since I last graced these tiles, too much to catch up on, so I thought I'd catch you up on what I am feverishly working on this week. dearMoon.earth.

More to follow, my essays need some love right now before they are due. Wish me luck!

Qalqilya Skate Ramp Paintings

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 22:22:00 +0000

Some of you may know of my involvement with my city's 3-way Sister City relationship with Kfar Saba, Israel and Qalqilya, Palestine. Since Gainesville has established this relationship, I have had the pleasure of meeting many good people in both cities. Well this last week some very good news came out of Qalqilya! A brand new skate ramp was just donated and installed at the zoo for the kids to use, (primarily by the X-Games Team)! I was so inspired watching the X-Games Team and all the volunteers work on this project that I created these carved wood paintings to celebrate! Congratulations to everyone in Qalqilya who worked so hard to make this happen! (and thanks to Adam Abel for posting pictures of the process). I look forward to his coming film: Qalqilya: Where the Boys are Learning How to Fly

"Above it All", Carved and painted wood planks, 24" x 34"

"Big Air", Carved and painted wood planks, 18" x 28"

"Jump", Carved and painted wood planks, 18" x 28"

"Leap of Faith", Carved and painted wood planks, 18" x 28"

Photo by Adam Abel

My Students and I Built a Bridge! Really!

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 01:42:00 +0000

It's true! My students and I built a 40', Asian inspired bridge over a retention pond on our campus! It was a great project whose design was inspired by an image of ancient Chinese bridge in a Song Dynasty scroll.

I put up a post about this on Reddit which recieved great attention and acclaim! I was also happy that "Make" Magazine took notice! They interviewed me and put up a very nice article on their website about our school project! You can read the full article here.

As you can tell by the article, I am very proud of my students!

http://makezine.com/2013/09/05/bridge-recreated-by-students/

PONZ at the BB King Museum!

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 00:24:00 +0000

I am proud to announce that my piece, "The Color of Blues", (a huge, carved, wooden installation), found a home on permanent display on the stage of the BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center's "Club Ebony" in Indianola, Mississippi!

The video above explains the museum and shows the installation of the piece.

Indianola is the birthplace of one of the pioneers of the Blues, BB King. Club Ebony is where his musical career began. The 16 million dollar museum is built around an old cotton gin where BB used to work and historic Club Ebony is maintained as a working "Juke Joint" to keep the spirit of the Blues alive.

On 8/8/13 a reception was held with music provided by Dr. Alphonso Sanders, John Gray Shermyen and Jack McWilliams who cranked out the Blues! I joined them on stage and created an improvisational painting which now also hangs in the club.

Thanks to Ann and John Shermyen who bought the piece and donated it to the BB King Museum, and to Kate Failing for her hospitality.

I can't wait to one day see BB King himself and a parade of other musicians play in front of my work! If you are ever in the Delta, be sure to stop by The BB King Museum's, "Club Ebony"!

The see more of my Blues Art, visit http://BluesArtbyPonz.com

"Tales of Honor"

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:59:00 +0000

I am honored to have created this painting live at "Tales of Honor", an original play about our Veterans at Sante Fe College, 3/29/13. By Gregg Jones and Jack Lipoff. A very powerful show.

Read this newspaper article about this show.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20130328/ent/130329612

Sister Cities Blues Jam!

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 02:55:00 +0000

EDIT: The Sister Cities Blues Jam was a resounding success! Check out this video of the event!

______________________________________________________________

Join OHS Music to celebrate Gainesville's unique 3-way Sister City relationship with Kfar Saba, Israel and Qalqilya, Palestine!

Featuring: "The Real Deal" Willie Green jamming with Oak Hall Students and many of our areas finest musicians!

Live painting by PONZ and friends! Free and open to the Public!

Brought to you as a public service by Oak Hall School Fine Arts Department and the Citizen Diplomacy Initiative!

Gainesville is leading the way with Citizen Diplomacy. CDI, (Citizen Diplomacy Initiative), has worked to connect multiple Israeli, Palestinian and US cities in 3-Way relationships. Come join us at Satchel's on Saturday April 6 to celebrate Gainesville's friendship with Kfar Saba and Qalqilya... but also to support and encourage the building of relationships between many other cities who wish to follow our lead. You deserve a party for your efforts for peace Gainesville, this is it!

Come enjoy a night of Blues, Art, Pizza and Diplomacy!

http://www.gnvsistercities.org/
http://www.citizendiplomacyinitiatives.org/
http://www.oakhall.org/

Jacmel, Haiti: Gainesville Artists Visit Our Sister City

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:01:00 +0000

So honored and proud to visit our Sister City, Jacmel Haiti last month as part of an official delegation of artists from Gainesville! The artists at Fosaj made us feel right at home and treated us as honored guests. Our visit coincided with their cultural high time... Kanaval!

It was great to see our friends in action during this cultural collaboration. The energy was high and the rum and creativity flowed throughout the streets of Jacmel! Thanks to all our friends in Jacmel, Haiti who made this a most memorable visit!

Welcome to beautiful and energetic Kanaval!

The vibrant and colorful personalities of the Haitians were on full display in the streets of Jacmel!

Our group took a taptap ride across the river and up the mountain on a journey to Bassin Blue.

It was a long climb up and a sharp climb down to get to the beautiful Bassin Bleu.

We descended by rope to the beautiful blue waters...

... but it proved treacherous as one of our group lost a guitar to the crystal clear waters.

Welcome to beautiful Bassin Blue! Christopher Columbus was brought here and he is known to have said that it was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. He then promptly went on to enslave the natives, but THAT is another story!

Rock music! We Jammed on the rock at Bassin Bleu with our Haitian friends! It was a glorious afternoon of swimming, singing, diving and dancing in this most beautiful and pure part of Haiti.

The artists at Fosaj Gallery treated me as an honored guests! They set up some canvas and further honored me by allowing me to start a group improvisational painting. Soon they all joined in!

We jammed on that canvas! Full throttle FLOW! Haitian style!

Bon Bagay!!! Some Voodoo magic must have blessed us that night at Fosaj!

ARTISTS! Bon Bagay!
The great artist, "Prince Luc" Luckner Candio, (front middle), proudly runs Fosaj and leads by artistic example. Their school was damaged by the earthquake and they lost many loved ones. Their spirit however, can never be crushed. They will rebuild.. the will adapt... they will create...
they are ARTISTS! Bon Bagay!

Me and Master mask artist, (who is descended from a long line of Voodoo priests),
Marc-Arthur Lamatier! Bon Bagay!

The celebration of Art flowed out onto the Kanaval streets! Needless to say...
BON BAGAY!!!!

My prize souvenir was a painting by Fosaj artist Escthkenaz Mathercol Nasser Philippe!

It was a great trip to Jacmel, Haiti! I hope to visit my artist friends again soon!

PONZ at the BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, Mississippi!

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 23:56:00 +0000

I am proud to announce that my big Blues wood carving/ installation has found a permanent home on display at the BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, Mississippi! I will perform the final installation June 2013. I couldn't be happier!

Hardcore Painters- (Heavy Metal Version)

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:37:00 +0000

I simply HAD to post these Hardcore Painters!

Burning with the Blues! (new work)

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:45:00 +0000

For many years now I've made artwork about music, in particular the Blues! Lately, I've been working on a new series of carved pine planks called the "Burning Blues" series! They are all relatively small (between 12' - 18" high), but I still find them big time funky! I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I have enjoyed making them!

I'm calling these next ones the "Swamp Boogie" series!

I've really enjoying making these pieces!
Now I'm off to make some more!

The Haiti Project: An Artistic Collaboration

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 22:37:00 +0000

It was a diplomatically fun week here in Gainesville Florida as we celebrated Haiti week! Gainesville Florida has an official Sister city relationship with the city of Jacmel in Haiti. Jacmel is the center of Haitian Arts and culture as it is home to many famous Haitian painters and artisans famous for their crafts, (especially their work in paper maché). Jacmel is also famous for its carnival where the whole country descends on Jacmel to celebrate the creativity of these artists as and to admire the beautiful masks and costumes they create.

Three renowned artists visited our fair city this week! Painter Luckner Candio, Master mask maker Marc-Arthur Lamitie, and assemblage artist Anderson Ambroise graced our fair city as they creatively interacted with our artists and citizens while they were here. Friendships were formed and creativity was inspired! It was a great week!

(Above) Luckner Candio (Prince Luc) at work on an incredible painting. Prince Luc is part of FOSAJ, a famous Art school in Jacmel Haiti that teaches and supports many art forms. For more information about Prince Luc: http://haitiweekingainesville2012.sched.org/speaker/lucknerprinceluccandio

For more information about FOSAJ: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fosaj/153435148028227

The Haiti Project Performance at Sante Fe College:
My involvement with the Haiti project began when I was asked to utilize my painting skills to participate in a performance at the Sante Fe Fine Arts Hall on Friday, April 7, 2012.

This performance was created by SFC theater professor Gregg Jones who asked me to be a part of his multimedia production by setting up a large canvas (right) and paint during the multi-media performance. His show was a tribute to the people and art of Haiti and it combined dance, music, art, poetry, puppetry, mask theater and video and still photography. It was a lot of fun capturing the spirit of this inspirational performance on canvas! Read this article in the Gainesville Sun about the show. and this article by Sante Fe College.

This is the final result of my improvisational canvas. I hope this work captures spirit of the Haitian people while revealing the many layers of collaboration that were a part of this colorful performance.

Collaborative Mural at the Civic Media Center:
On Tuesday night, April 11, I worked on a collaborative mural at the Civic Media Center in downtown Gainesville. The visiting Haitian artists joined in as did dozens of other friends and visitors!

Above, Prince Luc and Marc-Arthur Lamitie add some life to the image!

Prince Luc said this was some kind of Haitian water spirit.

It was a great evening!

Artists spend the day at Oak Hall School:

On Wednesday, April 12 the visiting Haitian artists spent the day at Oak Hall School where they created Art and talked to students about Haitian life and culture.

Anderson Ambroise (above) and discusses and explains his paintings with students. Anderson is part of the KOLAJ: Kolektif Atis Jakmèl . Kolektif Atis Jakmèl is an artist led movement dedicated to developing sustainable artistic livelihoods and enriching the community through the power of artistic creativity. He was a very inspirational presence in our classroom.

Marc-Arthur Lamitie, a master Carnival mask maker (below), shares stories about Voodoo and Haitian culture with Oak Hall students. Lamitie described the meanings of different carnival masks and Voodoo characters and he entertained students with traditional stories and voodoo beliefs from the island. He also explained how he is also descended from a long line of Voodoo priests in Haiti.

Above, Lamitie at work in Haiti.

Above: Scene from Lamitie's mask making workshop in Gainesville.

For more info about Lamitie visit: http://haitiweekingainesville2012.sched.org/speaker/marcarthurlamitie and: http://www.arsaid.fr/les-artistes-2/marc-arthur-lamitie

David Ames, the founder of the Jacmel / Gainesville Sister City program explains to students how Art therapy has helped many of the children in Jacmel deal with their emotions after the earthquake. See more about the Sister city project at: http://www.fromgainesvillewithlove.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/fromgainesville

Marc-Arthur Lamitie showed his technique for paper maché carnival masks. Below is the result from his morning work. While he was in town, this master mask maker, held a workshop in Mask making! https://www.facebook.com/events/274620982625683/

Anderson Ambroise created this beautiful painting while he was at our school.

He also created a found object/ assemblage sculpture that was based upon his friend who is a photographer!

Luckner Candio's (Prince Luc) also created a large canvas while visiting Oak Hall School. He painted right alongside Oak Hall art students where he inspired them with his creative flow and inventive process.

As the painting progressed, we enjoyed watching him scratch into the paint, collage in photos, chunks of dries acrylic paint from the palette, and even a US dollar bill. We found it very fascinating when he began drizzling Elmers glue across the surface of his image with the intensity and fluidity of a dancer!

This was the beautiful final result. He described how the collaged bicycle images and African masks represents him riding a borrowed bike though Gainesville. He commented on how much he loved the spirit of the people he met in Gainesville, (represented by the light).
Thanks to these artists generous spirit, this proved to be an inspirational day for us all!

___________________________________________

I was happy and honored to play a part in Haiti week here in Gainesville and excited to make so many new friends. I hope one day to see Jacmel in person and meet their creative citizens for myself. I also hope to do some more painting with them!

Musical Chairs: Art for Public Service

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 04:49:00 +0000

I carved a school chair for a benefit auction to benefit the Alachua County Public Elementary Arts Programs Fund of the Gainesville Community Foundation. The auction is this Friday, March 2nd, 7-10pm, at The Doris Bardon Community Cultural Center. Come out and bid, or just donate what you can! (links below).

Musical Chairs Project

Friday, Mar 2 7:00p to 10:00p

at The Doris Bardon Community Cultural Center, Gainesville, FL

A silent auction of unique and artfully designed chairs by prominent local artists. Proceeds benefit the Alachua County Public Elementary Arts Programs Fund of the Gainesville Community Foundation. Music selections by public school elementary children. Piano music by Annie Johnson. Refreshments by East End Eatery.

Event Website: http://www.fanofthearts.org/

My Ultimate Team Winter 2012: The Red Hot Chilly * Poppers!

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:41:00 +0000

After taking a season off due to an injury, I'm back in the "Ultimate" action as part of Captain "Showkiller" Phil's Red team. First order of business was for our team to choose a name. I was pleased when the team liked my proposal of the Red Hot "Chilly * Poppers"!

As it has been a while since I created any Ultimate Frisbee oriented paintings, I have been pretty motivated this season to help inspire the team in my own way. Like this one, when we played Kek's Green Dragons...

... or this one created before we played the "Sky Town Collective"!

When the league commentator (and resident curmudgeon), Jack Skunk suggested on the league website that the Chilly Peppers I was drawing should "Put on some pants", I responded with this image before we played "Random Acts of Violets"... (I hope that satisfied the Skunk!)

One week I had to miss the game, but after reading Phil's Captain's report about how well the team did with a come from behind win, I was inspired to make this image. It is clear to me that this Red Hot Chilly Popping squad has an overly big heart; so I created this "Rocky" saga inspired piece...

On perhaps the windiest day in Gainesville's history, we were scheduled to play Texas Orange. Fortunately for us, they forfeited due to lack of players. It turned out to be a pretty "Chilly" day for us, (thanks to Texas). We got to hang out, relax and heckle the other teams as they played in the utterly ridiculous wind!

This week, we had a double header. One thing our team has learned is that when our collective hearts are not in the game... when we are not emotionally invested, things get dangerous. Patrick "Coach" Duoma declared that we all have to get on board the "Cr@zy Train" as he tried to psych everyone up over that last few games. He was right. Every time we get Cr@zy, we win! I created this image to inspire us to all get on board! While we won the first game handily in true Cr@zy fashion... the rain, the mud and injuries took their toll on us against "Hey Zues". In a bitter battle in the bitter cold, the Chillys lost this contentious game to Hey Zeus on Universe point, 11-10. (No shame in this loss though... it was a hell of a game).

The Chilly*Poppers are currently ranked #2 in this twelve team league with two more games to go before playoffs. I'm convinced that if the Chilly*Poppers stay on the rails of the Cr@zy Train, if we stay intense, play hard and have fun, we just can't be stopped!

EDIT:

Since posting this entry, the Poppers have gone on to have a helluva season, finishing second in the regular season and clinching a playoff bid for the Championships!

This was the image I painted when we faced off against the Orange Goon Squad:

And this was for our game against Sangria, (which we lost on Universe point... no shame there)!

I am hopeful that next Sunday, April 1st will prove to be a glorious day for the Poppers as we come to the field of battle ready for the fight of our lives! Wish us luck on Championship Sunday!

PS... follow all the action at the official Gainesville Ultimate League website,

and at http://gvilleultimate.com/

My springtime worries... I have a feeling it will be a very hot summer.

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:20:00 +0000

"The Shady Bunch": My Drawing and Painting Honors Class Self Portrait Project

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:13:00 +0000

A class public art project! Expressive Acrylic paintings created with brushes attached to sticks. Inspired by the work of Françoise Nielly. To be installed next week outside the Cofrin Art Gallery at Oak Hall School. I'm proud of them!

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings!

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:11:00 +0000

Meetings,

Meetings!

I don't think I have been to this many meetings in so few days in my entire life! This was a Diplomatic mission after all, so it was to be expected. Our first morning in Palestine started off quickly. After 54 hours of travel, our morning continued with a bleary eyed bus ride from Qalqilya to Ramallah. First stop, a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, Salam Fayyad.

The main purpose of this meeting was to present the Prime Minister our plan to unify 200 Palestinian, Israeli and American cities in a Sister City Relationship.

We hoped that if we got his blessing, it would help other cities leaders support the plan as well.

He listened intently to the specifics of the idea and the plan we had to make it a reality.

He liked the idea!

This was important as his support helped our delegation when discussing our plan with other officials at meetings over the next few days. We had a very ambitious schedule ahead of us as our van drove us throughout the region for similar talks with many other leaders.

We wanted to meet with anyone and everyone we could. While Steve and Paul had many meetings in various cities set up, they were constantly on their phones trying to schedule more meetings with National and local leaders wherever we went. They even set up a meeting with representatives of the the World Bank in order to gain their financial support for the program!

Above: a meeting in the Mayor's office in Kfar Saba.

In each city, we explained our ideas to whomever would listen.

Above: Meeting with the Mayor of Nablus

We met with University Presidents,
Above: Meeting with An-Najah National University President

We met with Artists, and at Peace, Arts and Women's Centers.
Above: Meeting with Shira Devel Katz in Kfar Saba about youth and Arts programs

We also met with a variety of Educators.

We even met with a Nobel Peace Prize winner!
(Above: The very impressive Dr. Ernesto Kahan met with us in Kfar Saba)

Sometimes meetings were more casual,

... and sometimes meetings ran a little long. In each meeting, we all served a role. Jason and myself often explaining educational and artistic outreach ideas. Above: I kept myself entertained by documenting the moment.

Here is a Sketch I did in the Governor of Qalqilya's office using some residue of the the super-strong, super-thick coffee they served us for many of the browns.

I think he liked it!

At each meeting there was usually some gift exchange.

The Mayor brought back some very nice mementos!

While these official meetings were very important, and personal connections were made among officials, I think even deeper connections were made when we were out of the boardroom and out with the people. Very cool unexpected things happened that never would have happened in an office! My next posts will talk about some of these moments, as well as, the work we did on the ground, and the people we befriended in both Israel and Palestine!

After 54 hours of canceled flights and lost luggage... Israel & Palestine!

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:54:00 +0000

Welcome to the Middle East where Israel and Palestine sit as neighbors. When I was asked to be a part of this delegation I jumped at the chance to see this historic land!

Now technically speaking, there is not yet a country named Palestine. What it is really called is the "Occupied Territory of Palestine", or the West Bank and Gaza, (as you can see by the map below). However, what you'll find out in later posts is the map really isn't as simple as it seems. Indeed, everything is very complicated in the Middle East. Our journey took us all throughout the West Bank, so when I say Palestine, that is the area that I am referring to.

Before I go any further, I want to introduce you to the delegation and tell you how this project came to be in the first place.
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Gainesville first received a visit from the Mayors of Kfar Saba and Qalqilya back in the year 2000. These two Mayors (who were childhood friends by the way) came to Gainesville to learn about water treatment plants. While here they toured the University, our Hospitals, met with our city officials and private citizens. Stephen Kalishman, (Founder of Gainesville Sister Cities program), suggested to the visiting Mayors that an official, three-way Sister Cities program be created between us, to which they officially agreed. Steve has experience with these types of programs as he successfully paired up 200 cities in the former Soviet Union with American cities. You can find out more about this organization at their website: http://www.gnvsistercities.org/

Last year we were visited again by a delegation from Qalqilya who spoke to various organizations and schools as they toured our city and Hospitals. They explained their needs and many in our community wished to get involved to help. One of the visiting delegates was Mr. Odeh, head of Education in Qalqilya. Mr. Odeh had previously put me into contact with an Art teacher in his city named Romance who I communicated with via email.

For about a year I maintained a website where Romance and I posted pictures of our students artwork. This was the first step in getting to know each other on a more personal level.

The next thing I knew, I was asked to be a part of the delegation to visit our new sister cities!
My colleague, Oak Hall School's Music Director Jason Stahl was also asked to participate as an Israeli music teacher expressed interest in the exchange program. Together with Steve Kalishman, we organized a Concert fundraiser at the Cofrin Theater featuring the local Klezmere Katz and a band called Luminaries. A student and I set up large canvases and we painted as the bands played all night. It was a great event!

Flash forward: Jason Steve and I are sitting at the Gainesville Airport ready to board a flight to Israel to meet up with the rest of our delegation. That's when all the fun started!

A canceled flight made us have to scramble to get another that evening. As no more were leaving Gainesville, we had no choice but to get down to Orlando quick! Tried renting a car, all sold out (not a single car for rent in Gainesville?) Really! Plan B: Steve wife picks us up, we grab Steves car and start flying down the interstate, with 3 smart phones working furiously to find flights, transfer tickets, move funds... all while trying to stay between the white lines of the highway and not wreck! After getting to the airport in the nick of time, we were greeted with computer problems and a clerk who did not know what to do! You see we HAD to get out that evening as we had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Palestine set up that we could not miss. After some begging, pleading and dumb luck, the clerk processed our tickets and away we went running through the terminals! More chaos met us, but to make a long story short, After 54 hours of traveling, no sleep and lost luggage, we arrived in Israel, grabbed a taxi and sped out to the West Bank with just enough time to make the meeting, (literally, we had one hour to spare)!

Above: Jason Stahl takes in the landscape as the sun slowly rises.

Israel is not a very big place.
In fact at its thinnest point, it is only about 1okm wide. You could easily ride your bike across it!

This first morning we arrived in Israel when it was still dark so we could not get a great feel for the place. The Sun started to rise as we got closer to the West Bank.

Above: Steve Kalishman talks to our taxi driver

Above: A Bedouin campsite

Besides the arid landscape, the first thing one has to get used to the Militarization of the region. As we drove we passed multiple military checkpoints, armored vehicles and the like.

From the airport to the frontier, you have to get used to all the 18 year-olds with machine guns walking around.
This the the checkpoint leading into Qalqilya. I have heard a lot about this before coming and I was honestly a little bit nervous about having to pass through, however our driver simply drove right around and in, no problem! It seems the the problem is not getting into Qalqilya, the problem is getting out!

Besides the gates and walls, the law apparently keeps the Israelis and Palestinians from interacting as this sign below indicates.

So, we met up with the rest of the delegation and away we sped by bus to catch our meeting with the Prime Minister. Before I tell you about that, let me introduce you to our delegation...

Leading our delegation was Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe. City Commissioner Randy Wells also came to represent the city.

You have already met Steve Kalishman...

Gainesville Sister Cities Co-Director's Paul Rothstein was also with us...

As well as Co-Director, Dr. Manal Fakhoury.

Bringing up the rear were the artists! OHS Music Director/ Trombonist / and Photographer Extraordinaire Jason Stahl. Live from L.A. it's the positive messaged, Hip-Hop stylings of LUMINARIES! And then there was me!

I can't forget our sound man Okie and our Camera Man Amir! They followed us around "reality TV" style and became part of our big happy family.
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You know, before I came on this trip, many people said to me, "You look Mediterranean, you'll blend right in"! Well, as our delegation drove all around the West bank and walked the street of various cities, I could not help but think that to the locals, it surely must have seemed like the circus came to town!

Next Post: Our meeting with the Prime Minister!

An Artist's Adventure in Israel & Palestine

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:11:00 +0000

Have I got a story to tell you!
I recently returned from the Middle East where I was on a Diplomatic Mission!

Western (or Wailing Wall) with the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

There is so much to say about this journey I don't really know where to start, but I guess this image best sums up the reason for the trip...

"Three Cities: One World", Acrylic on Canvas, 24" x 30"

I was recently part of a team of Citizen Diplomats who visited Israel and Palestine as part of a Three way Sister Cities program. Gainesville, Florida has developed a relationship with the Israeli city of Kfar Saba and the Palestinian city of Qalqilya. Kfar Saba and Qalqilya are only one mile apart, but the distance between them could not be greater. I'll try to explain...

By now, most of you have heard about the Security Wall the Israeli government has erected around it's boarders to help protect itself. Having faced attacks and a lot of other trouble over the years, who can blame them for wanting to protect themselves, right? Well, while I am very sympathetic to this sentiment, the reality of what is going on over there is a whole lot more complicated than it seems.

Israeli Built Security Wall

Below is an image of Qalqilya taken from space. Kfar Saba lies about one mile to the West. As you can see, not only does the security barrier separate Qalqiya from Kfar Saba, it completely encircles them! A little smaller than the city of Gainesville, Qalqilya is currently and quite simply a prison city.

Through a grassroots effort, the Gainesville/ Kfar Saba/ Qalqilya Sister cities project is one way we are all trying to do something about this situation. Now, I know what you might be thinking...

"Who do you think you are to expect to change things?! They have been fighting forever! These are big, complicated problems with unresolved issues dating back decades if not centuries! You are not even from the region and it is none of your business! What possible solutions could you have to offer?"

Well, I have to admit. I have some of those same doubts, however, I am still also optimistic that this project can actually have a genuine effect on the attitudes of the people in both towns, particularly with the youth. Maybe I am truly naive, but so what? That won't stop me from trying my best to make friends and to do what little I can to help.

So what's an Artist to do?

Get Painting I guess!

Our delegation consisted of our Mayor, a City Councilman, A Hip-Hop band, a trombonist, an artist (me), the founders of the Sister Cities program along with a sound and film crew. There was no mistaking our group! The locals must have surely thought the circus came to town!

We fanned out all over Israel and the West Bank meeting with many Mayors, Governors, University Presidents... even had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Palestine! We visited schools, hospitals, Arts and Women's centers. While our primary goal was to develop strong personal relationships with the people of Kfar Saba and Qalqilya, another goal is to pair up 200 Palestinian, Israeli and American cities to develop similar 3-way relationships of their own.

This trip was pure, Citizen Diplomacy in action. When the politicians can't fix things, it is time for the people to lead. In fact, the whole adventure was filmed as a documentary entitled, "When the People Lead" is currently being produced.

With these next few posts, I will try to explain what we accomplished during this trip and how we are continuing to work towards further progress in the future and how you might get involved as well.

More to come, so stay tuned...

Prague: A quick summer overview!

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:39:00 +0000

How bad do I have to update this blog? THIS BAD!

I have such a good story to tell you about what I did the last two weeks... but I have been so busy I neglected to mention my two weeks in Prague this past summer! Before I go any further, and get to the good new stuff, I have to at least mention the wonderful city of Prague...

1st: While my wife was at a conference I had a whole week to wander around and explore on my own. Confused by the variety of subway ticket options and seemingly no enforcement, I was caught up in a sweep! $43 dollar fine (American)! Ouch! At least I didn't have to explore a Prague Prison!

I know you've seen pictures, but Prague is an amazingly beautiful old city. Most famously, the view of the Charles Bridge.

It was the week of fourth of July in Prague so I took the opportunity to celebrate with some very cheap beers and even tasted some absinthe! I wonderd what the skyline of Prague would look like with fireworks?
I also got some chances to get around to some on the spot painting. This is an image of Jan Hus, a 15th century heretic, is a symbol of Czech nationalism, a sculpture on display in the old town square.

And here, the old Pwder Tower...

Of course, While I was there I had to get some Hacky Sack (Footbag) in in the old town square as well!

One of my goals while in Prague was to play some Ultimate frisbee with the locals. I went online and found a regular pickup game in Letna Park each Sunday. I showed up, but it was a rainy, cold day. I guess they don't play in the rain in Prague like we do in Florida. I was a bit bummed.

That week I walked the entirety of Prague, discovering many cool sites. One unexpected view was the giant babies crawling up the TV tower!

"Tancici Dum", the Dancing building was another amazing piece of architecture!

I learned alot about the history of Prague as I visited many museums. While under occupation of the Soviet Union, this massive sculpture of Stalin was erected in Letna park. It could be seen fro miles around.
The Czech's tried repeatedly over the years to gain independance from the Soviets, but it was the self emulation of one young college student, Jan Palach (he burned himself to death in protest) that inspired the people to be outraged enough to finally rally for peace.

His funeral was a massive public event.

After years of protests, by the late 80's, another student followed Jan's lead and the Velvet Revolution had begun...
Eventually, the Stalin sculpture was also reduced to the rubble of History.

After her conference ended, Kim and I took some day trips, such as Karlsberg Castle.

By far the most fascinating was to Kutna Hora, the city of the Bone Church.

The entire church is decorated with human bones! Chandeliers, alters and other displays of faith were created by the bones of the dead.

Crazy Cool!

While Prague was amazing, I am most happy to report that the following Sunday was sunny and clear. I showed up for some Ultimate at Letna park and found a crowd of fun loving ultimate players ready for action! We played two games, I think I scored 4 and threw for 3 and had a great time playing my favorite game with the locals!

The best part of this Sunday was after the game. Their tradition is to meet in Letna Beer Garden after the games. I was more than happy to accompany them!

Prague is a beautiful city with wonderful people, and proved to be the highlight of my summer.

Work for the "American Dream" Exhibition at Top Secret Space

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:26:00 +0000

This Friday night, visit Downtown Gainesville's Top Secret Space for an exhibition featuring some of the best artists in our region! I will be contributing 3 pieces to this show, though these works focus more on the American Nightmare that is the War in Iraq.

"Shocking Awe" Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 36"

Remember the first night of the Iraq war? Shock and Awe" they called it. We sat in comfort and watched live as the bombs lit up the skyline of Baghdad. I never bought the "Weapons of Mass Destruction" BS. We should be ashamed to get suckered into this war that had nothing to do with 911.

"Negative Energy Plan" Acrylic, 60"x48"

This painting questions WHY the need for seemingly systematic elaborate torture and sexual abuse as illustrated by this iconic image from the Abu Ghraib scandal. I thought we were better than this.

"Iraq Show" Acrylic on canvas, 68" x 62" (approximately)

This complex piece shows the insanity of the Iraq war. The little Emperor sits atop his throne of abused prisoners and golden oil drums as a soldier, thrown into the middle of this mess, tries to keep the peace. Cerberus, the mythological 3 headed dog that guards the gates of Hell, intimidates a hooded prisoner in captivity. This represents how we got a little too "Hot" on this topic for my tastes. These pieces for the American Dream exhibition are more about the nightmare that is our very own Iraq war.

Here is the press release for the show... I hope you can make it out Friday Night!

American Dream Art Show
The Top Secret Space, 22 N. Main St, Gainesville
Opening: July 1, 7 p.m. -11 p.m.
...Additional Exhibition Dates: July 8-9, 7-10 p.m.
Closing date: July 29, 7-11 p.m. as part of ArtWalk

American Dream on display July 1 in Gainesville art venue

GAINESVILLE, FLA. -- As July Fourth approaches, a thought-provoking new art show opens to wrestle with the theme American Dream as its artwork tears into the majesty, muscle and memory of the nation’s persona.

The American Dream Art Show, curated by Bill Bryson, opens July 1 in downtown Gainesville. The exhibit will showcase works of more than 40 national and regional artists, including Kim Anderson, Steve Keene, R. Land, Arnold Mesches, Oscar Molina, Robert Ponzio, Padgett Powell, Tia Ma, Daniel Stepp and Oli Watt. The artists work in formats from visual art in 2D and 3D, multimedia presentations, a puppet show, a vocal improvisation, and spoken word pieces all inspired by the theme of the American Dream.

Bryson, who runs the community Internet radio station Grow Radio (www.growradio.org), chose to create a show around the theme because he said he has been meeting artists through his endeavors for the past 20 years and believed the unifying concept would provide a great opportunity to showcase their abilities. He invited these artists to draw inspiration from the theme and provide unique pieces for the show.

“I’d been reflecting on the idea for some time and realized it had great potential for an art exhibition,” said Bryson, who has also owned and operated the Covered Dish, a downtown live music club, and was co-publisher of The Satellite Magazine. “The theme is appealing on different levels and these artists reflect on it in a variety of ways. It is open to broad interpretation, is especially timely and will encourage provocative thought and discussion.”

The American Dream Art Show is on display at The Top Secret Space, 22 N. Main St., Gainesville. The opening is 7-11 p.m. Friday, July 1. Additionally the show will be open July 8-9 as part of the Top Restaurant and Atlantic Nightclub’s anniversary celebrations. Last chance to catch the Dream is 7-11 p.m., July 29. Private viewings available upon request in July. The Top Restaurant co-sponsored the exhibition.

Twitter: @AmericanDreamFL
FB event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169452879771367
FB page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002469554608
Email: AmericanDreamGNV@gmail.com
Phone: Bill Bryson, 352-219-0145

My Gift to the Kind People of Changzhou, China: Introducing them to a Qing Dynasty Scroll (which depicts their city!)

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:37:00 +0000

Above: The Changzhou Scroll- (Click on image to view in detail).

Welcome to Changzhou during Emperor Kangxi's Reign during the Qing Dynasty, 1691 AD! The image above shows the "Dragon City" as they prepare for a visit from the Emperor himself during his Southern Inspection tour. The amazingly detailed scroll depicts hundreds of people going about their busy preparations in great detail. While this image is a piece of history, it is also one that the people of Changzhou did not know existed... that is, until now.

I am proud to report that I am happily responsible for introducing the kind people of Changzhou to this image of their home town! This opportunity came about as a result of our Sister School relationship with Changzhou #2 Senior Middle School. The story of how I came to discover the scroll is a long one, but with this post, I will try to explain how it all came together.

Above: Image Detail Showing Wall and gates of Changzhou

The primary mission of this exchange trip was to bring Oak Hall students to visit our Sister School in China, where our students had the rare opportunity to stay with Chinese families, (see previous posts). I, however, was personally looking forward to surprising our friends with this image of their home city, (particularly as I knew they have never seen it before)! This image was lost to history, but with some luck I rediscovered it in the vaults of the Phoenix Museum, where I obtained a high quality digital scan of the image.

While visiting a Calligraphy class, I took a moment to unveil the scroll. I was traveling with an 8' digital print of the image, as well as the high resolution scan of the original scroll to give to the school. They were extremely happy to see it! There was a TV reporter on campus and he filmed the presentation of the gifts and interviewed me for the evening news! Since I have returned home, there has been a tremendous amount of interest about the scroll by the Chinese media and scholars. They have referred to my gift as "A New Discovery"! It has been very satisfying for me to reintroduce the people of Changzhou to this important piece of history.

Above: Image Detail Showing Old Bridge in Changzhou over the Grand canal.

While this was all very exciting for me, I still had one nagging question that I had to have answered... "Does the site shown in the scroll depicting the bridge and old city wall still exist?"

After years of investigating and studying this scroll, I think you can easily imagine how I felt when our friends in Changzhou changed our afternoon plans to bring us exactly to the place shown in the Qing Dynasty scroll! I can't tell you how exhilarating it was to finally see this with my own eyes!

Well, that is the story in a nutshell. Now I'll next try to explain how this all came to be...

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Making the Discovery

During the 2007 academic year, I was enrolled in a course entitled "New Perspectives on Early Modern China", at the University of Florida, (see Qing hand scroll lesson). This course examined the history, culture and economy of Qing Dynasty China primarily by examining a set of scrolls called the Southern Inspection Tour scrolls which the Kangxi and Qianlong Emperors had commissioned. These scrolls can be viewed at the Columbia University website: "Recording the Grandeur of the Qing".

While researching these documents on the website, I came across this reference that one of the scrolls depicted the city of Changzhou, the city of our sister school! As this scroll was not published on the web site, I began investigating where the scroll was being held in the hopes of viewing it and sharing it with our friends in Changzhou.

After writing several letters to various scholars inquiring about the location of the scroll, I was happy to finally make contact with scholar Claudia Brown of Arizona State University and Asian Curator Janet Baker of the Phoenix Museum. At their invitation, I flew out to Phoenix to meet the collectors, Roy and Marilyn Papp, the scholars and to view the scroll in person!

Inside the vaults of the Phoenix Museum, Janet baker unrolls the historic scroll. After several months of tracking it down, it was very exciting to finally see the scroll with my own eyes!

When the Papp's acquired the scroll at auction in the 1980's, it was in very bad shape, with water damage, rips and holes across the top from where it had been pinned up. They had the scroll shipped to Hong Kong to an expert who meticulously cleaned and remounted the scroll on an exquisite silk backing in the traditional manner. It was amazing how vibrant the colors of the pigment were. Metallic pigments were also utilized throughout to emphasize musical instruments and other important objects.

This scroll was created 1691 - 98 AD, and is one of 12 scrolls created by artist Wang Hui at the request of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. This particular scroll is meant to document the Emperor's Southern Inspection tour of China, in particular his journey along the Grand Canal to visit the important city of Changzhou.

Above: The Grand Canal is a miracle of engineering that helped to unify China.

The scroll, is made with ink and mineral pigment on silk, and is estimated to be, (originally), about 40 feet long. Unfortunately, at some point in history, this scroll was cut into different sections. This portion of the scroll is thought to be the finale, as the Grand Canal leads the viewer (from right to left), through the beautiful triple arched bridge towards the gates of the great walled city of Changzhou. Sadly, the whereabouts of the remaining sections of the scroll were unknown, (however, that has now changed as you will see below).

This scroll section depicts a 10 mile stretch of the Grand Canal from Bennieu to Changzhou, and is extremely detailed. Hundreds of people are illustrated as they prepare a celebration to honor the Emperor's impending arrival. The viewer can see into homes and business to observe minute details of daily life. This image offers a wealth of information about how the proud people of Changzhou lived during the Qing era.

These are from an exhibition catalog published by the Phoenix Museum about the Roy and Marilyn Papp collection of Asian Paintings.

Artist Wang Hui was considered one of China's greatest painters in his day. It turns out that Wang Hui grew up only 15 miles from Changzhou, in the village of Yushan near Changshu, and was certainly familiar with this section of the Grand Canal. It is exciting to realize that this image depicts a part of his country that he was intimately familiar with and thought fondly of! It seems to explain why he dedicated such a large portion of the scroll to such a relatively short distance of the journey... more space than in any other of the 12 other scrolls in the series!

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Does the Bridge and Wall around Changzhou Still Exist?
I had to See For Myself.

Since I have been studying the scroll, I had the lingering question if the wall and bridge shown in the scroll still exist. When our friends took us to the site, I was unbelievably exited to find out for myself!
I had been studying old maps of Changzhou like this one which show the site in question, and even tried to use Google earth, but not knowing where to look, I had to wait for our friends to show me.

There it was! Remains of the ancient city wall of Changzhou!

And there is the bridge! As it turns out though, the bridge was rebuilt. The Grand Canal was widened so the Chinese rebuilt the bridge in the other direction across the smaller portion of the Canal. This sign below explains it:

The TV reporter followed us around filming the moment. Upon closer inspection of the wall we found an old map engraved into a tablet on the wall showing the spot and original orientation of the bridge. It matched Wang Hui's Scroll perfectly!

After all this time, it was a very satisfying to experience this for myself!

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The Story Receives Chinese Media Attention:
Touting a "NEW DISCOVERY"!

I was honored to see so much press coverage about the scroll! The people of Changzhou were very excited about the "New Discovery" of this image of their home town. Several scholars and artists were interviewed for a variety of stories as the history and significance of the scroll was discussed in the media. It was published repeatedly online and in the newspaper as the school shared the high quality scan with the media as well as several scholars who were interested in the image. I can't read Chinese, but below I copied an English translation of one of the stories thanks to Google Translate.

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A Message from the Deputy Director of the Changzhou Museum

When I returned home I was happy receive a message from the Deputy Director of Changzhou Museum, Lin Jian in response to his learning about the scroll! He enclosed this image of the missing, beginning portion of the scroll, (published in this catalogue), which they have in China! Now we know what the entire scroll looks like!

I was very happy to finally see the beginning of the Changzhou scroll! We can now see Emperor Kangxi preparing for his journey to Changzhou! He would be the tall guy in the detail below!
If you want a closeup view of the pages Deputy Director Lin Jian sent, (and if you can read Chinese), they can be viewed here: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4.

Here is a copy of the message from Deputy Director Lin Jian:

‎1288 Longcheng Boulevard
Changzhou Museum
Changzhou,213022
May 7, 2011

...Mr. Ponzio,

I am the Deputy Director of Changzhou Museum. My name is Lin Jian.I’m glad to see the scroll “Southern Inspection Tour: Benniu Zhen to Changzhou on the Grand Canal”, which contributes to our understanding of ancient valuable information in Changzhou. Thanks to president Shi and teacher Zhou of Changzhou #2 Senior Middle School, we know you are very interested in the history in Changzhou. I hope that we can communicate with each other further. There is an introduction about the other part of the Southern Inspection Tour in the journal: the Forbidden City，7th issue,2010, which I have scaned and sented to you with this letter may be helpful.
When we get to learn this scroll collected in Phoenix Art Museum, we would like to be sister museum with Phoenix Art Museum and also hope there is an opportunity to display this scroll in Changzhou Museum.
Best wishes!
Yours respectfully,
Lin Jian

As you can imagine, I am happy to see their interest in forming a sister museum relationship between Phoenix and Changzhou! I hope that develops to be as strong as Oak Hall School's and Changzhou #2 Middle School's relationship is with each other. I also hope I am not dreaming too big when I say that I would one day, love to see both pieces of the scroll reunited and put on display in Changzhou Museum, particularly when our student delegation visits Changzhou! I also hope that the scrolls could be put on display for the good people of Phoenix to enjoy. In fact, while I am dreaming, I think it would be great to one day see these images put on display in the brand new Asian Art wing of the Harn Museum of Art here in Gainesville, Florida!

With all of the excitement and press coming out of Changzhou about this, it is personally very satisfying to see something concrete come out of Oak Hall School's Sister school relationship with Changzhou#2 Middle School. I am proud to have made this connection, and honored that the Oak Hall Community and the people in Phoenix have been so supportive of my efforts to reintroduce this image to the kind people in Changzhou!

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Some Additional Close-Ups of the Scroll

Above: The scroll begins along the Grand Canal at the town Bennieu before making it's way to Changzhou,
(scroll read left to right).

Above: The scroll as it follows the Grand Canal to Changzhou.

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Google translation of above Chinese newspaper article:

April 3, Evening News reported "Changzhou version of" painting "in the United States found." Changzhou about the history of such a masterwork, aroused great concern and curiosity. For the text pictured Hang Bridge, Changzhou Fu and Benniu town location, some "old Changzhou" was questioned. The people in the industry and found this picture carefully watched, the Changzhou version of "painting" is actually "Kangxi southern tour map" part. The historical background for this painting and the reader questions, this reporter invited the City, the new SMG Zhang Jian Wei, Deputy Secretary, Urban Calligraphy and Painting Academy Zhou Jun Wei, "old house" artists quarter, made the interpretation of full protection.

About history

"Kangxi southern tour map" of the political background

Central Plains after the Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Emperor Xuan Ye Aixinjueluo (1654-1722) to further ease the Manchu and Han ethnic conflict between the win over the south of the literati, but also to better governance Huang, Huai River, etc. flooding, in the twenty-three to forty-six years Kangxi (1664 a 1707) of the twenty-four years, has made six times to the southeast along the southern tour.

Kangxi is sensible to require trip to the south by the court when the costs borne by, "Do not take a cent to send people." Not only to avoid additional expenditure over and also to the history not to leave after the infamy,

Kangxi twenty-eight (1689) eighth day of the first month, Xuan Ye start off Palace, started a second southern tour. Walking route is basically a road along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, via Jinan, Yan City, Huaiyin, Yangzhou, Changzhou, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, after the exhumation.

"Kangxi southern tour map" The Whole Story of Creation

Ceremony to commemorate the trip to the south, Kangxi issued an edict to the grand narrative of the way, reproduce the sea Qinghe Anchor, to live and work in the Pacific scene. Cao Quan by the Imperial Household is responsible for specific and ordered across the country, painting the Selection of experts to draw the "southern tour map." Painting's left the auspices of the Supervising Council Censor Song Chun Yip, vice are recommended by their teachers featuring Wang Hui. Thus, Wang Hui in his sixtieth year, with the students YANG Jin, Beijing at the "southern tour map" drawn a collective work.

"Kangxi southern tour map" a total of 12 volumes, each the length of about 10 meters, 20 meters length ranging from a width of 60 cm, picture palace called the longest time. According to rules of court painting, the picture is not all the money off the printing of these artists.

Qing Dynasty, "Kangxi southern tour map" of the fifth, sixth, eight volumes from the palace lost, missing. "Southern tour map" of the second, four volumes of the United States is now the museum collections in France Bali Ji, the third, seven-volume collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The remaining volumes are still the Beijing Palace Museum collection.

And the discovery of the "southern tour map Changzhou Fu Emperor" is lost on the Volume.

"Kangxi southern tour map" of the Artistic Director

Speaking of "Kangxi southern tour map" to not open around the "Qing six people," one of Wang Hui (huī). With the words now, he is painting masterwork of "featuring lead" or "artistic director."

Wang Hui (1632-1717), Changshu, Jiangsu people, the word Point Valley, the number of people scattered tobacco farming, Dusk Qinghui the elderly, in the history of Chinese art, he and Wang Shimin, Wang Jian, Wang Qi said "four kings", with Yun Nan Tian and Wu Li, also known as "Qing Dynasty six people."

As the "serious matter", is a "national cultural project," Wang Hui accept the task very carefully, not only arrangements for people to place through painting Kangxi southern tour, and with his disciples YANG Jin, who took 3 years, draw the comp , was validated for Emperors Kangxi. In all of these after the end of the preliminary work, and finally in a special palace silk, coming official "Kangxi southern tour map", was involved in painting a large team, in addition to Wang Hui and YANG Jin, there are cold Mei, Wang Yun, Mei Xu, Yu Yuan, Wu Chih, Gu Fang, are at the famous court painter, who spent four years ahead or behind.

Successfully completed, the Kangxi had Yubi book "Landscape Qing Hui", Chin Chee Wang Hui, and tried to grant official. But are not fluent in bureaucratic ways of the world and has been renowned the world an excuse to put off Wang Hui, in 1698 the South go hometown.

About names

"Kangxi southern tour map" in Changzhou Fu

"Kangxi southern tour map" Chapter VI, is portrayed Teng Kangxi Jinshan from Guazhou crossing through the regular state capital. Running of the Bulls selected the painting toward the door are two important nodes in Beijing, according to the description and scene painting, and history records the text in the Hang Bridge, towards the gate in Beijing, flower streets, Rice River, Changzhou City landmarks similar, inferred, paintings marked "Changzhou Fu" screen should be present in the vicinity of the West Ying.

Wen Hang Bridge

Painting, paper Hang Bridge, north to south across the Grand Canal, which is what the present bridge was built Hang Man inconsistent. According to historical records, the text is a three-hole stone arch bridge Hang, was founded in Jiajing twenty-seven years, across the Grand Canal, the total length of 49.3 meters, Man Hang northbound big pier, is quite famous in the grate Kei Lane . Ming and Qing Dynasties, dong street crowded, cantilever beam lanterns, endless night. When the bright moon, the moon through the bridge opening thing that catches the water, "Wen Hang wear moon," "grate beam lights," hence the name.

In 1987, the old bridge removed Wen Hang turned 90 degrees to the city building shift the intersection of River and Canal, bridge length is also reduced to the original 1 / 3 is the text we now see Henry Bridge.

Flower streets

Flower streets which is now the grate Kei Lane. Ming Zheng fourteen years (AD 1519) Piling built in this relay. Suzhou, Changzhou Fu is the result of government, Songjiang Nanjing government must pass through, the exam of the literati, and from the officials do not absolutely in the Tao. Street West of large terminals, then Guanting (Huang Hua Ting) was the place where Guan Chuan ashore, officials, servants to Sushi on the Posthouse. Flower shops lined the streets, selling flowers and combs house special merchandise here, business is booming. Palace of the Qing Dynasty took annual tribute combs are in the acquisition, he would "comb Palace name grate," said. Legend of Emperor Qianlong once under the Jiangnan, Liu Lun (Wujin people, serving the Grand Council), accompanied by people pretending to watch the flower market street clothes, to see the many red comb shop business, and asked what the local Liu Lun, Liu Lun gave the answer: Flower streets, the palace used to comb out of here. "Longyan" great harmony, proposed to "grate Kei Lane", "Chrysostom," opened, to change the name from "grate Kei Lane" the.

M City Creek

Food is, food is the lifeblood that people depend on. With the increasing urban population alone Wujin County, West two positions from time to time and the flat section that sold food in the temple freely traded market, can not meet growing demand. A kind of grain-based food business line, meter number came into being. Rice market because of the river river river convenience, Rocky handover, concentrated near the rice mill, then opened one after another to the rice business, food lines.

海烈 Temple women

According to "Changzhou Annals" records, outside the Great Temple in the West Bank Street, with the cylinder (now West Riverside), between women with Hailie Temple, a shrine to worship the middle of each side of a tablet, tablets, respectively, and Zhao Zhang Shun Kou Wang s memorial tablets, which are both the most famous virgin Liefu in Changzhou, spring and autumn each year, this official should be to worship.

About picture

This is just a painting, not when it is the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the google street

Early Qing Dynasty painter drawing "Kangxi southern tour map", is a "political task", must "not only loyal, but also the higher life", therefore, enjoy this picture, you can slight bit of "Joking" ingredients.

First, the graphical representation of the different photographic documentary, "Kangxi southern tour map" picture of the performance of different content, each relatively independent. But to the extent possible, to maintain the connection of each volume of landscape painting, the artists depicted the natural and cultural landscape, not in full accordance with the time of Emperor Kangxi inspection has timing and path.

Secondly, the "southern tour map Changzhou Fu Emperor Kangxi" depicted in the natural and cultural picture, there is a simple fan, virtual and real, not entirely realistic sense of the style of realism. Except for a few scenes, most content is only the artist's imagination and fiction. From the cramped city streets and canals flow disorder, can see the problem. Such as "Changzhou Fu," the label, just a regional concept, does not mean that at the time, "Changzhou Fu" is located in the painting within the marked Urn.

In addition, because the picture of Emperor Kangxi ceremony to commemorate the trip to the south, and therefore have a very strong political overtones. Artists in the creation, "Kangxi southern tour map" will inevitably praises, false picture of peace, prosperity Wealthy urban and rural areas, people contend from the music everywhere. This is the actual situation at the Society of Southern state, there is a certain gap.

But still, "Kangxi southern tour map" the court is still very important picture, which contains a large number of the era and style features, its history, academic value, in any case can not be ignored.

OHS in China: Our Educational Exchange in Changzhou

noreply@blogger.com (PONZ / Robert Ponzio) — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:36:00 +0000

One of the best parts of the whole trip to China was spending time at their school, visiting classes and making new friends. Each of our students were assigned a different homeroom and would follow the classes entire schedule. In China, the class remains the same it is the teachers and subjects which change each period.

Our students sat in on a variety of classes and subjects ranging from Math and Science to the Arts.
In each case, they were treated very well and welcomed warmly. When necessary, fellow students translated the lessons for them so they could fully understand each lecture or activity.

Above: Lauren tries her hand at decorative paper cutting.

One morning our students were treated to a Tai Chi / Kung Fu lesson by the school's Master teacher.

He also taught them several games, (such as this one where you try to push or pull your opponent off balance). We played constantly throughout the rest of the journey and again here at school.
By no means did the kids get to have all the fun! The teachers and administrators had some plans for us as well. Above we engage in some "Ping Pong Diplomacy"!

They had us try our hand at shooting some hoops as well as play a little volleyball!

Our students also had a chance of doing some teaching of their own. Each one of them prepared a Power Point show outlining some aspect of their world and life here in Gainesville. Above: Bob discusses the Science and Arts program at Oak Hall School.

Jackson discusses athletics and tells of his father who was a professional football player in the NFL. Some of the students ran into technical difficulties, but handled the pressure with style and grace. They all did a great job representing us.

We all got a chance to visit some Art classes as well. Above: Rachel participates in a Dance class. The teacher was introducing tap dance to the class. It just so happened that Rachel has tap danced for many years. Here she gives a great demonstration!

Of course, they had everyone try their hand at calligraphy. While it is a difficult Art form to master, it is very accessable as well. They all had a chance to learn about different techniques and make some art of their own.

When asked if I wanted to try my hand at calligraphy, I gladly accepted, though I did not follow the lesson, rather I used some of the techniques to make this gift for them. This image is reminiscent of a famous painting by Emperor Huizong called the, "Auspicious Cranes". Depicted as if over the school's museum building. Then I wrote, "We Love Changzhou" in English, (in Xu Bing Style Calligraphy). It was quick, but they seemed to like it!

As the students continued with their calligraphy lesson, I thought it was the right time to unveil a surprise I had for them. On a back table of the room, I unrolled an 8' digital print of a scroll that I discovered. This scroll depicts the city of Changzhou in the late 1600's as they prepare for a visit by the Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty! How I discovered the scroll is a bit of a long story, but it can be read here in it's entirety.

I am happy to say that a lot of attention and interest has been generated by the discovery of this historic scroll. I will try to describe just how much and what has happened since in my next post. I think you will find that this next part of the story is a great addition to an already enriching trip!