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TESTIMONIALS Words can not truly express the wondrous effect Bren’s presence had on our students. He was at Lilja for one week while working on a mural project and as one teacher commented “he instantly became part of the community. The respect and kindness he showed each student was exceptional. After interacting with Bren, every student walked away believing they could be artists too. Children, who may never have thought to paint or draw outside of art class, were feverishly producing works of art. Bren is not only a talented artist but he is wonderful presenter and an inspiration to all. We have received more compliments from teachers, parents and students for bringing Bren’s program to our school than any other program. You visited my son's school yesterday (Oak Street Elementary School in Franklin, MA). He is in second grade and has autism, and is in a special classroom for kids with social/behavioral impairments. His teacher sent me a note home to tell me about your visit. My son is extremely sensory-sensitive and going to assemblies is a source of difficulty for him. He informed his teacher that he would only attend the assembly "for a few minutes" which they agreed was fine. However, he was absolutely thrilled to find out you are a cartoonist! That is what he wants to be when he grows up! He stayed the entire time. He even asked questions. And gave you a hug at the end. I wasn't there to witness it (and wish I could have been!) but reading the teacher's note made me teary-eyed. I can't thank you enough for sharing your talent with him (and all of his school mates) and for being so kind, patiently, and friendly with him. He drew lots of pictures that afternoon. A parent from the Oak St. Elementary School in Franklin, MA We found Bren's visit to Boyden School to be absolutely wonderful. My goal in inviting Bren was to provide our students with a positive message about how one person can make a difference. Originally, we scheduled Bren to visit for grade-level assemblies and did not plan for him to do a mural. Well, after the assemblies were over, we found Bren's impact on our students to be far-reaching. The children started making his little creatures and spreading his message of making someone else feel better in their homes, neighborhoods and school. As a result of the students being so invested in Bren's message, we decided to invite him back to paint a mural in our computer lab. Each student in the school created a piece of artwork and Bren incorporated their designs into the actual mural. We love the look of our "new" computer lab! Bren has a tremendous ability to connect with others and I am confident your school will find the results to be equally rewarding. Mike Stanton, Principal We were fortunate to have Bren come to Fisher School as a gift from our fifth grade parents and our PAC. Students identified instantly with his brightly colored characters and simple positive message of spreading smiles by “paying it forward.” Our fifth graders confidently drew their fish for our mural and eagerly waited for Bren to transform our front foyer into a colorful aquarium. During the week, Bren talked with each student who commented and posed questions. In his short time with us, our students connected with him and on his last day as he “unveiled” the mural, students gathered around him like a “rock star”. Bren Bataclan was our smiling art “rock star” this spring. Thank you, Bren; we are still smiling at Fisher. This week, I finally got to have a visiting artist to the school. I have been trying to raise funds for three years and thought it would never happen. But I finally got Bren to come to my school after working with him initially at my part time school (1/2 day a week). Bren is an energetic, child orientated, enthusiast. We had a great week and the students bonded with his dynamic love of art . All the students were able to draw a part of this healthy exercise and food mural. The students in small groups, were given characters to draw with each student assigned to draw an individual component. Bren took the group renditions and painted his happy versions, onto our school cafeteria wall. All 403 students, proudly identify with and feel a part of this beautiful linear mural. Today we were asked to attend a short assembly to thank Bren for all his artistic work. At the assembly , my principal David Barner, thanked the Fine Arts Department and the Dawe School P.T.O. for funding the project. He then said he wanted to thank someone else for making it all happen. He said to the students, I am walking towards her and they all shouted" Mrs. Reiche". I stopped myself at two, maybe three tears as they unveiled the mural dedication in my honor. I will miss all my colleagues, friends and the students whose cheering and clapping had me holding back tears, as I prepare to retire in June. Peggy Reiche You have been the most POSITIVE INFLUENCE on the Dawe School that I have seen in years! Kathy Buschenfeldt Everyone at Bennett-Hemenway Elementary School was enamored with Bren during his week-long artist-in-resident workshop at our school. In addition to his presentation and work with our fourth-grade students to create a mural based on their ideas centered on the theme of 'Caring', he had individual classes come and sit with him as he painted. These one-on-one discussions were a hit with the students and faculty. During his visit at Ben-Hem, Bren was embraced by the children, faculty and parents. He is an amazing role model and we are so fortunate to have a permanent piece of his artwork adorning the wall of our fourth-grade wing. Mary Crotty Peace Bren has been presenting to the children of Harvard’s 25th Reunion for the past two years and they love him! Not only are his work and his philosophy on life amazing and uplifting, he is an exciting and entertaining presenter! Bren is an integral part of Harvard’s 25th Reunion Children’s Program roster of events and we look forward to working with him for years to come. Annie Sullivan Middle School was very privileged to have a presentation by Bren Bataclan. He connected with art club members immediately and inspired all of us to draw cartoons and "put a smile on someone's face everyday! He hid a print of one of his cartoons in the library for someone to find. Well, someone found it and she was very happy. One of my students gave me a framed drawing of one of her cartoons inspired by Bren for Christmas. I hung it on my tree during the holiday and now it is in my classroom. Thank you Bren for your kindness and inspiration! Tina Guarino The Boyden School enjoyed a wonderful day with Bren, learning not only about his artwork but also about how one person's actions, can spread happiness throughout the world. Bren's genuine interest and enthusiasm for working with children was felt by teachers and students alike. All grade levels were actively engaged in the presentation and drawing demonstration. I am sure that Bren's characters were shared at dinner tables all over Walpole that evening and that his message of joy will be felt throughout our school for days to come. Thank you Bren! Jill Takacs Hi Bren, I want to thank you for such a wonderful presentation yesterday. I've been at Franklin for almost 18 years and we've had many presenters. By far, you were the most engaging and I can tell that the students truly enjoyed having you here. Your love for what you do is very clear and your enthusiasm for sharing your work is contagious. I am so looking forward to seeing the creation of the mural. Sharon Foster Having been part of the Natick Cultural Arts Committee for 18 years, I have experienced many amazing and inspiring enrichment programs in the Natick schools. After a program we often receive verbal thanks from the staff or parents, and sometimes a handwritten or drawn thank you from a class. In 2005, Bren’s visit to the Natick High art class left such an impression that the class created their own “Bren-inspired” characters riding on a school bus and then presented vibrantly colored paintings to Bren and our committee as a thank you. Bren’s message of generosity and joy in art had definitely hit its mark with the students. Karen Leese My two elementary schools (k-5) have had the privilege and honor of having Bren Bataclan visit and it was a memorable experience for everyone! Bren began with a Powerpoint presentation about his artwork and how he began his career as an artist. His drawing demonstration captivated the the audience and the students absolutely loved being able to draw along with Bren who gave encouragement to the young artists. Bren has the unique ability to connect with the students and they were truly engaged throughout his entire visit. It is not an easy task to keep the attention of hundreds of students but Bren made it look easy. He has a great rapport with the students and staff and we were sad to see him go. Months later, the students still talk about Bren Bataclan, "the real artist" who visited our school and they all want him to come back next year! Everyone enjoyed the presentation very much. My principal just sent out an email thanking me for bringing you to our school. I so enjoyed looking at the faces of the students in the crowd and seeing them smile. One of the teachers said how nice it was to have an art presentation that was fun and got the children involved. My students have been bringing in their own pictures that they have drawn to mimic your characters. They are very excited. I have spoken to students in other grades and they are doing the same. Art is a subject that is not always given enough attention in schools and students sometimes feel apprehensive about their talents, you have opened their minds and given these kids a technique that will prove successful to all. Ann Walker Bren's talk empowered our students and showed them that you can follow your dream. It was an inspiration for myself as well as the faculty and students attending. He showed students how to engage with artwork while making it fun and approachable. Steven Pirrello, Curator I would recommend having artist Bren Bataclan work with students and teachers in your school. Bren came to Alaska in the spring, when 5 miles of roadway was being rerouted. We were able to coordinate his visit with the Department of Transportation foreman so that Bren could ride through the construction zone. He then had to complete a short hike back to the road. Needless to say, Bren is a trooper and very flexible! Once he arrived at our national recognized Blue Ribbon school, Bren provided general art information, demonstrations, and guided art instruction. During his short time here, Bren made bonds with several students. They have exchanged letters and artwork. Now one year later, we still have teachers and students talking about his visit and drawing pictures in his unique style. Bren has brightened the hallways and schoolyards of several of the schools I have worked at over the years. While his art work certainly brightens the atmosphere, it is Bren's personality and love of art that is the true gift from working with him on these projects. The kids light up when Bren works with them in the classroom and they are so enthusiastic when they work with him on the murals around the school. His incorporates their ideas, their art work and their spirit in his murals. Both the Trotter and Washington School were lucky to work with Bren on a number of mural projects. Matthew C. Stahl, Principal Bren’s presentation well portrayed the wide scope of his work and encouraging message behind his art. The hands-on portion of his workshop was entirely engaging for all of the children, students, and parents involved. Joseph Ha We loved having Bren at Jackson to complete the Massachusetts wall mural with the third graders. After watching a DVD about the Smile project, students worked with Bren to create their own images for the mural. Then Bren designed the mural incorporating every student’s illustration. Students absolutely loved watching their ideas come to life as Bren shared each step of the mural project with them. We had a big celebration when the painting was complete. It was definitely one of the high points of our school year. Lorraine Leo "For the past few years, Newton North's Asian Culture Club has been incredibly fortunate to have had Bren come and visit our school for our annual Asian Culture Day. Each time, Bren has brought a fresh, engaging, and exciting presentation, using a combination of his personal stories and multimedia. I know that our students--and staff members-- are always eager to have him visit, and that they get a lot out of what he has to share." Michele Leong, English Teacher Newton, MA Bren Bataclan’s lecture series in the Whitman Hanson Regional School District was absolutely wonderful! He was engaging, informative and entertaining when speaking to both high school students and fourth grade students. My high school students were extremely interested in his insights about the business end of making it as an artist, as well as his artwork. Students, young and old, loved watching him draw and having the chance to create characters along with him. It is refreshing to learn about a street artist with such a positive message and legal approach. The whimsical nature of his work captivated and inspired students of all ages. From the moment Bren Bataclan walked into our school to work with our art club and visual art electives we wanted to keep him forever. His ability to immediately capture the audience with his amazing story shared through video, lecture and interactive drawing sessions was life changing for all in attendance. We couldn’t stop smiling and wanted more. We commissioned a unique three panel canvas incorporating Bren’s redesign of the characters drawn from the sessions with our art students. Our school couldn’t keep Bren forever but we do have a truly remarkable and stunningly keepsake which makes us smile every day. Bren provided a great source of inspiration for us with his presentation, showing us what you can accomplish when you choose to persevere and follow your dreams. Bren Bataclan presented his Smile Project to my 5th grade art classes, much to their delight. They were completely engaged during his hands on demonstration, after his demonstration, and are still excited by his work a year later! Bataclan has become a local celebrity within our school community. I have had the great pleasure of exhibiting Bren Bataclan's colorful, cheerful paintings at our Bacon Free Library in South Natick, MA. I also witnessed one of his workshops with children at the Memorial School a year ago and, again, a year later at the Bacon Free Library. Bren had the children in the palm of his hand. All ages responded positively to his charismatic personality. He is a gifted artist and a gifted teacher. Jan Martin "Bren visited the Duval School in Whitman and it was excellent! He had both students and staff hooked from the start. The part I enjoyed the most was when all the students and teachers had the opportunity to draw his characters. It made the presentation more interactive and I feel it boosted the artistic confidence in everyone!" Stef Zopatti Finally! I was able to bring Bren to our school and show everyone first-hand the artist who so inspired me! Bren's visit to our school in December was engaging and fun. Students, faculty and parents enjoyed hearing his story and being part of a drawing workshop. For weeks after, lively cartoon characters were doodled on holiday cards and valentines. His visit even inspired a group "cartoon bombing" project to brighten up the sometimes dark and cold winter days in Maine. All around campus, smiles abound! Thank you, Bren! Shannon Gallagher The mural is more than any of us imagined or could have hoped for and will be a major part of our school and this group of students. Alan Keller PRESS >>> |