Two nights ago my friend Megan texted me this photo...
...I actually gasped with delight when I read her text. She found one of my secretly stashed InstaLibrary bookmarks while at work!
The backstory: while I was developing content for the first Phone Photography Project workshop at Big Picture Classes, I created a category of projects for the "Do Something More" section that had a very "random act of kindness and/or creativity" feel to them. I've long had a little personal tradition of secretly stashing small gifts in public places where people might find them around Christmastime, so for my own take on this one I designed a bookmark that could be stashed all over my favorite library, randomly and secretly. I had my bookmarks printed at the lab I use for client photos, so they were really high-quality press printed ones; I planted about 40 of them in non-fiction, children's books, reference materials, large print—pretty much on every floor and in every section at the library. It made for a fun day of sneaking around the library (I wasn't exactly an unknown character there). Ironically, Megan was the only person I told that I had done this; I didn't ask permission because a.) it was a pretty harmless little project and b.) the whole point of guerilla creativity is to remain anonymous. I immediately texted her back to ask which book she found it in (a biography of Dizzy Gillespie) and walked around with a giant smile on my face the rest of the night. It was a much needed dose of happy news.
It's been a tough week (month) for Big Picture Classes. If you're not aware, Studio Calico purchased the company this past summer, and lots of changes are in the works. A new website will be introduced in 2015, and only some of the classes in the Big Picture Classes catalog will be transferred. The announcement can be read here. Only a couple of the classes I've taught or contributed to since I first started working for Big Picture back in 2006 will be archived on the new platform, so if you want to save the materials from those classes you've taken over the years you have until July 2015 to do so (it's proving to be a lot of work, so don't put it off). I'm happy to answer any questions or provide whatever assistance I'm able to provide, so just let me know if there is something I can do to help!
It's been a wonderful, wonderful run with Big Picture Classes. I've been given so many opportunities to develop meaningful creative content and have connected with so many wonderful students over the past eight years; however, in light of all the changes, the time seems right for me to explore some new options for teaching and sharing creative classes and projects. I'd love to hear what you'd be interested in the most content-wise if you have a minute to connect. The link to send me a message is up there on the top right.
I don't know how many other bookmarks have been discovered at the library, but I do know that creativity matters, no matter how small a gesture.
: )