What’s Happening?

“Nature as Teacher” Video Meditation feat. by Nature Sacred

Check it out in their May care package!

BATHE IN THIS.

Set aside deadlines and expectations for 12 minutes. Instead, place yourself in nature's hands to find stability and peace. Our partners at the Center of Arts, Design and Visual Culture at UMBC, home to this Sacred Place, can show you how. This is the second of three "Nature as Teacher" meditations, set in a serene nature backdrop near their Sacred Place.

Listen and watch the program here: https://naturesacred.org/programming_kit/nature-as-teacher-cultivating-peace-in-uncertain-times/ 

Each video meditation is kindly filmed by Research Associate Professor, Director of UMBC’sImaging Research Center and award-winning filmmaker Lee Boot and narrated by UMBC’s Director of Workplace Learning, OD & Wellness and Founder & CEO of Wardell Development Group LLC.,Jill Wardell. The project is supported by the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture and the Joseph Beuys Tree Partnership with a generous gift from Nature Sacred (naturesacred.org).

Posted: May 24, 2021, 2:16 PM

From the Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park: Happy summer break!

Our Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park Firesoul, Sandra Abbott, would like to share one of her favorite stories of the Beuys Park in celebration of summer. She encourages you to look for the little instances of peace and serenity in nature as it is blooming. 

“ One evening, I stopped by the park at dusk to check in on a dance rehearsal for a performance that the Beuys park was hosting.

As the sun dimmed, I realized I wasn't the only one watching. 

A beautiful red fox had trotted into the park and positioned herself up against one of the smaller stones. Curiously, she leaned back on one elbow in the laziest repose. I was stunned by her human-like attitude and what seemed like genuine interest in the dancers' performance! It was a remarkable and funny thing to see — this gorgeous animal interacting with us at a distance, yet thoroughly engaged. 

Asking the dancers if they'd noticed her, they nonchalantly replied, "Oh, yeah. She's been one of regulars at rehearsals this week."

One never knows what kinds of human and nature connections one will make in a Sacred Place!”

In nature, we find connection in the little moments. We encourage you to reconnect with nature, with yourself, and with the things that make you happy this summer!


Posted: May 20, 2021, 1:46 PM

REMINDER: Oral History Summer Research Opportunity

Apply by May 10!

The CADVC is looking for two UMBC graduate students interested in an oral history research project this summer. The objective is to collect an extensive oral history of the founding, development, and progress of UMBC’s Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park (JBSP) and its three partnership parks in Baltimore City before Labor Day. 

These positions are open to emerging historians who are interested in gaining experience in interviewing subjects, transcription, and developing strategies for making historical knowledge accessible to community members and online visitors.


Responsibilities

  • Conduct 8-10 in-depth oral history interviews with JBSP founders, UMBC staff, Nature Sacred staff, and others
  • Employ advanced audio production skills by recording, editing, organizing, and producing audio files 
  • Conduct transcription of all audio recordings
  • Log documentation of tasks and hours worked

Requirements

  • UMBC graduate students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 
  • Taken either HIST 736 (Introduction to Oral Histories), similar coursework at the undergraduate or graduate level, or have consent of a department head or CADVC as having competency in this area.
  • Must have the ability to become appropriately certified with IRB through UMBC or provide proof of previous certification 
  • Provide their own transportation to and from campus and have access to their own reliable and suitable audio equipment or the ability to check out equipment from UMBC’s library 

These two positions carry a stipend of $1,500 each. The stipend will be issued in two installments, one $750 installment at the time of hire or completion of IRB certification and one $750 installment upon project completion.

Covid-19 Precautions: 

  • It is possible all work may be carried out remotely, but more likely it will require significant in-person recording time with individuals at locations as far as the offices of Nature Sacred in Annapolis and other locations to be determined. 
  • UMBC may require daily health monitoring and/or regular testing just as if incumbents were coming to campus regularly. 
  • It is understood that the on-going pandemic may necessitate continued and unexpected changes in requirements for UMBC research activities for many months to flexibility in responding to these changes will be necessary to the successful completion of the project.

To Apply:

Please send your C.V. or resume and a cover email to Sandra Abbott at abbotts@umbc.edu by May 10, 2021. Candidates will then be contacted for a WebEx interview. No phone calls, please.

Posted: May 7, 2021, 3:40 PM