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What’s “in” a Virtual Library?

March 2, 2008 at 10:20 am (virtual library)

Like Rhonda, I’ve identified nine content features.  However, I’ve combined library information with the home page, separated ethical use of information from curriculum and added a visual/interactive category.  I found “The Virtual Library” written by Valenza (2005) to be an invaluable resource.

Valenza suggests that the library home page be a picture, a visual metaphor, of an online information environment.  However, her school’s library homepage is the only one that I have seen that uses an image map.  Instead many use clip art or are starting to use digital photos to link to the information.  Still others provide still images like Senioritis or slideshares of pictures of their physical library to connect the physical and virtual spaces.  Winnipeg’s Ecole Charleswood Junior High Library has combined a still picture of a part of their library and the goals, yet another element of a virtual library, on their wiki opening page.

Most library webpages link to any number of the following from an introductory page: general library information, catalogue, databases, and subject links and/or pathfinders for students and teachers.  Valenza also suggests style manuals, reference tools and bibliography help.  On some library webpages academic material is on the left, reading for pleasure and personal interest is on the right and announcements are front and centre.  Resources for students and teachers are kept separate for ease of navigation (Pappas, 2004).

If something is out of sight, it is often out of mind.  When it comes time to search, students often revert to Google that is familiar and habitual.  I love Valenza’s saying, “although Google rocks, it’s not the only band in town.”  By identifying a variety of age-appropriate search options students become more familiar with the different ways they function and with the invisible or deep Web that does not turn up in general search engines (Mardis, 2003; Fuller, 2005).  Subject specific search tools, subject portals, search engines, subject directories, metasearch tools, e-books such as those found at Follett (Church, 2005) and Gale (McCaffrey (2004), primary source docuents and databases are all possibilities.  I like the idea of annotations or descriptions popping up as mouse overs.

If we want students to look beyond Google and other commercial search engines, we must point them to the quality resources that we want them to use.  Valenza promises that once students experience databases they wonder how they ever lived without them.  This student created video helps educate students about the benefits of databases and promote them at the same time.  However, in my exploration of virtual libraries, many still include Google as a search suggestion but pair it with instruction.  Rather than banning students who so obviously love to use it, teach them about how it works and how to use it properly.

By providing age appropriate examples of references for sources (on and offline) and explaining school-wide expecations for referencing, student frustration will be spared and respect for information will fulfilled.  Links can also connect students to more outside examples or citation generators.

The virtual library also serves as a place to share curriculum online.  Instructional resources, collaborative lessons, handouts, graphic organizers and student work can be archived for easy access.  This way students receive instructional support at point of need. Pappas (2004) outlines two forms: tutorials (details steps supported with images) and guides or help sheets (more concise supported by fewer images).  It sends a strong message to all members of the school community that the library, both online and off, is the centre of learning.  By moving beyond instruction of specific resources to selection, evaluation and synthesis, students learn the importance of the information process and critical literacy (Pappas, 2004).

Web-based pathfinders reduce cognitive overload by providing customized resources to meet a particular need.   When students pick a hyperlinked topic, they are taken to a page that can include any number of the following: concepts, definitions, keywords, questions, call numbers for books and references, periodicals, databases, subject portals, websites, streaming media, primary sources, blogs, wikis, etc.  Valenza says “pathfinders enable librarians to intervene in — but not take over — the research process to ensure students cover all research bases.”  Students who are accustomed to roaming free on the internet or teachers who permit them to do this may question the use of pathfinders.  Isn’t that doing the research for them?  By pointing students to high quality resources students are encouraged to use a variety and instead spend more time thinking critically about the information they find.  Structuring meaningful experiences for both studnets and teachers will aid in understanding of the purpose of pathfinders.

In discussing pathfinders, Kuntz,” says “[t]he bottom line is that we are supporting students by guiding them through the gridlock of the information highway, assisting them in the development of effective search strategies, and helping them to understand that information is available in a variety of formats and from many resources, places and people.”

By building a virtual library using a blog or wiki or linking to one, news, events, additions, book discussions and assignment support can be easily updated without knowledge of code or ftp.  It is then possible for members of the school community – students, staff or parents – to subscribe through an RSS feed when the page is updated.  Others are also able to contribute by commenting, or collaborate by adding content to the virtual library if this is offered as an option either through blogging, a wiki or through social bookmarking.  There is a list of school libary blogs at the blogging libraries wiki.  Wikis have the added benefit of no longer requiring server space while students collaborate and teachers can monitor content changes through an aggregator.  While the Galileo Academy of Science and Technology’s Li-blog-ary has been cited in many of my readings, I don’t find the colors or font visually appealing.  While this is important to consider, you also can’t please everyone.  Hopefully, as users become accustomed to using the virtual library they will also become accustomed to its visual features.  Valenza suggests wiki pathfinders are even better because you can edit them anywhere and allow others to do so as well if you so choose.

Lippincott (2005) calls for visual, interactive services as well.  Valenza (2006) suggests links to other classes, museums, subject experts and a media pathfinder of free and subscription streaming media.  Students may use the links to connect to a virtual reading group with students, teachers or other adults from near and far or a discussion with an academic from the community’s university or one on the other side of the world.  I remember having my students email questions to a Tolstoy expert in Toronto.  Now, with permission, the responses could be posted on a school’s virtual library for everyone to read.  I love the British Museum’s learning website, one part of which is dedicated to Mughal India.  Students can click on different objects in a virtual room to learn more about them.

Students could be connected to research and information literacy sites such as those suggested by Junion-Metz (2004).  While I haven’t explored it in its entirety, the 30-minute Texas Information Literacy Tutorial or TILT for short provides information on six topics.  Even though it is geared towards university students, it could be used with high school students.  I like it’s simplicity and interactivity.  While the content may be good, for me Research 101 lacks visual appeal so I didn’t stick around.  KVYL How to Do Research is yet another example although very American in its color scheme.  While these sites may be helful in the short term or provide ideas for creating your own instructional support tools, it is important to provide support for the specific inquiry model that your school employs.  Pappas (2004)  stipulates “[d]evelopers of virtual websites need to select a process model and consistently follow that model throughout all the instructional resources.”  Pembina Trails School Division INFOZONE provides yet another example of instruction (in the left sidebar) integrated with resources down the centre.

A site map is a necessity for a virtual library (Pappas, 2004).  It can be text or visual like this homebase for the Research Rocket.  The latter is only a map for the research tutorial and not for a complete web library but it shows how a map can be an image rather than words alone.  The visual sitemap I think could work for junior high students but the portal and its contents are definitely geared towards a younger audience.  These examples illustrate the need for age appropriateness to be applied to content and visual appeal.

Thankfully, resources exist online to assist in building a school library website or virtual library.  Rhonda’s suggested Valenza’s Webquest about School Libraries.  I hadn’t come across this one before.  When I read it I must admit I felt very overwhelmed thinking how long does it take to do all this?  But then I reminded myself of what I wrote reflecting on my own experiences with virtual libraries: start small.  That’s why, as a beginner, I like this Virtual Library Design which is divided into advocacy, information and instruction.

A curriculum based virtual library sends a strong message to the school community.  The school values meaningful and engaging learning through inquiry.  Through the information process, students learn critical literacy, information literacy and information ethics.  The school library page can serve as a celebration of learning where students publish for the world, contributing to the global body of knowledge.

  1. Judy O'Connell said,

    This is a superb ‘article’ about the value and purposes of a good virtual portal for our school libraries. Thank you for articulating and referencing the ideas so well. A great read!

  2. Jennifer said,

    I agree with Judy! Great information and so useful for others.

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U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia

Why the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia is under strain

April 21, 2016 at 6:30 PM EDT

September 11, 2011 marks the tenth anniversary of what could arguably be called the greatest and most important domestic crime in US legal history. This refers only to legal crimes, not such crimes against humanity as chattel slavery, genocide against American Indians, machine gunning of striking workers by National Guard troops, nor such crimes against nature such as the poisoning of the Gulf of Mexico due to the BP oil spill disaster. etc.

The US corporate controlled media thoroughly reported on the 2,966 fatalities due to the massive crime that was 9-11. They ignored, however, the 5,915 work related fatalities of the previous year and the estimated 4,000 people who die annually due to being unable to get health insurance. They ignored the estimated 15 million children who die annually world-wide due to simple hunger.

This same media has ignored, and thereby helped cover up, the controversy surrounding the causes of 9-11.

Controlled Demolition?

Demolition experts ranging from Danny Jowenko to engineers such as Richard Gage, have claimed that it is nearly impossible for the three WTC buildings to have collapsed straight downward as they did except through a planned, controlled demolition. Jowenko, who was the owner of a demolition company, allegedly first made that claim after seeing photos of the collapse and not knowing what the photos were of. When he was told, he “responded in disbelief.” He subsequently died in a car wreck whose cause has never been fully explained.

Others reject these claims and say that the collapse could easily have happened due to the fires. One web site (http://www.debunking911.com/pull.htm) shows a film of the collapse of Building 7 in which the first part to collapse is the penthouse, which they claim proves that the collapse started at the top, not the bottom through a controlled demolition. (This writer personally as a teen ager personally knew an engineer who worked on the World Trade Center. His widow later said that he’d resigned because he felt that the design was so unsafe.)

There are also claims that the traces that the explosive thermite – which is an explosive used to demolish buildings – were found in the WTC dust. Again, others reject these claims, in part on the grounds that there is no clear chain-of-control over the dust that was tested. Another article (http://www.debunking911.com/thermite.htm) claims that the traces of thermite allegedly found was really the result of incineration of thousands of computers. One physicist, David Chandler, analyzed the rate of collapse of the WTC buildings and claimed that it showed a constant acceleration which can only be explained by the fact that the bottom was blown out from underneath, rather than a collapse from on top (http://truthphalanx.com/does-science-lie/).

Insider Stock Trading

Also suspicious is the mass of what appears to be insider trading on the stock market in the days leading up to 9/11. As reported in numerous newspapers throughout the United States, in those previous days and weeks, there had been abnormally high amounts of trades (“short” trades and “puts”) which essentially bet that the stocks of American and United Airlines would drop. These were the two airlines whose planes were hijacked. The stock market had been closed for several days after the attack, preventing anybody from collecting these profits and remaining undetected. A little over two weeks after the attack, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that some $2.5 million in profits from these trades had remained uncollected. (http://articles.sfgate.com/2001-09-29/news/17617189_1_trading-options-ual-corp-options-exchanges)

Official investigators claimed that there was nothing suspicious about these trades, because they were carried out by one company which had “no conceivable connection with Osama bin Laden.” Exactly!What they failed to mention was that much of them had been carried out by a firm managed by A.B. “Buzzy” Kronegard, who was closely connected with the FBI (http://www.hereinreality.com/insidertrading.html). Widely reported immediately following the attack, the news of these trades quickly was scrubbed from the mass media.

Public Opinion

twintowers 150x150 9 11 Ten Years LaterA World Opinion Poll taken in 2008 found that majorities in only 9 of 17 countries believed that al Qaeda was responsible for 9-11. A Zogby poll taken in 2004 found that 49 percent of New York City residents and 41 percent of New York state citizens believe individuals within the US government “knew in advance that attacks were planned on or around September 11, 2001, and that they consciously failed to act”. A May, 2002 New York Times/CBS public opinion poll found that 21% of US residents thought that the Bush administration was “telling the truth” about 9-11 while 65% said they are “mostly telling the truth but hiding something”, 8% said they are “mostly lying” and were 6% not sure. By Oct 2006 16% said the administration was “telling the truth”, 53% said they are “mostly telling the truth but hiding something”, 28% said they are “mostly lying”.

These results show the degree to which the mass media can affect the mood in the United States. Imagine: 41% of New York State residents believe that the US government was intentionally complicit in the 9-11 disaster, yet nothing is done about it. The reason for this is that the media is ignoring the issue and thus is failing to make it a truly public issue.

“First Responders” Abandoned

The same is the case for those who are lauded as the heroes of 9-11 – the police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians who first responded to the attack in New York City. Since that time, hundreds if not thousands of those who survived have fallen ill and some died from cancer, skin diseases, asthma, etc. It is almost universally believed that this was as a result of the toxic dust they breathed in that time. Despite this, they are in general denied prolonged medical care. Cancer victims, for instance, are denied money for care because it is claimed that there is not “proof” that the dust they breathed caused the cancer. In fact, in the commemoration for 9-11 planned for this year, these “first responders” are not even invited.

Underlying Factors Behind 9-11

There have been claims that a layer of Pakistan’s spy agency, the ISI, was connected with the 9-11 bombing and that a Bush administration cover-up was due to the fact that it was courting the ISI. Others make similar allegations regarding some Saudi princes. These claims are also countered. For instance, the claim regarding the ISI is countered by pointing out that many of them originate in stories circulated by the Indian press, whose capitalist class is locked in a battle with the Pakistani ruling class.

Clearly, the 9-11 attacks, if they were carried out by bin Laden & Co. were the result of several factors. First was the role of US capitalism world wide, especially in the Middle East. There, in coordination with the State of Israel, it has continually sought to maneuver and repress any mass movement of workers as it seeks to maintain control over this most important center for world oil supplies. It has defended the Israeli state’s brutal repression of the Palestinian people.

However, the reason why the legitimate anger against world capitalism turned to at least some support for terrorist acts is more complex than this. The fact is that the world’s working class had been quite quiescent, especially in the US, and entire layers of young people could not see a mass workers’ movement as the means of opposing US capitalism. And especially at that time, when the capitalist economy was booming, it was almost impossible to see any alternative to US capitalism. As the capitalist strategist Francis Fukuyama famously said, the domination of US capitalism represented “the end of history”.

A principle reason for this was the role of the leadership of the world working class, especially in the US. There, the union leadership has spent decades repressing and isolating any union radicals, thus weakening the traditions of the class struggle. They have spent decades pressing the myth that the unions and the unionized employers have common interests. This systematic campaign of theirs has led to a disorganization of the US working class which makes it extremely difficult for forces in regions like the Mid East to see any way to link up with US workers. As a result, some may tend to sympathize with acts of individual terrorism as the only means of hitting back.

Anti-Capitalist Sentiment Prior to 9-11

In the years leading up to this world-changing event, this had started to change. There was a growing movement against global capitalism. This movement possibly first really caught mass attention in 1999 with the WTO protests in Seattle, Washington. Young radicals were joined by a layer of workers – mainly union workers, including members of the United Steel Workers of America – and actually succeeded in shutting down the WTO meetings. This was followed by similar protests in Doha, Qatar and protests against G8 meetings in Washington DC, Prague, Czech Republic, Davos, Switzerland and Gothenburg, Sweden.

At the Seattle protest, the mainstream union leadership had mobilized a layer of their members to participate, assuming that they would be able to inoculate them against the radicalism of the youth. They failed miserably in this as a layer of Steelworkers and other union members participated in the physical shut down of the WTO meeting. The reformist union bureaucracy never made this mistake again.

Despite this, however, the working class was becoming increasingly affected by these protests and starting to respond. Frightened by this, a determination was made to crush the protests, perhaps starting in the Genoa protest against the WTO meeting in July of 2001. The police murdered a young protester, Carlo Giuliani, assuming that this would scare others off. It had the opposite effect, enraging many thousands and ultimately it is estimated that some 300,000 turned out to protest the WTO. These were not all just young radicals. Clearly, a layer of workers were starting to respond, especially as they saw the devastation that the “globalization” of capitalism was wreaking on their lives.

The capitalist tops were so frightened by this that the London “Economist” magazine proposed that future such meetings be cancelled.  Under the title “Disarray in Genoa” (July 22, 2001), they wrote that the protest in Genoa“has raised questions about the future of such meetings.” They continued that, “next year’s G8 summit in Canada seem likely, on current trends, to face similar challenges.”

US and World Capitalism Strengthened

9-11 changed all this.

As is well known, many at the top of the Bush administration – then in power – had had plans to invade Iraq well before 9-11. Some of these were centered around the right wing “think” tank the Project for a New American Century (PNAC). Prior to 9-11, the mood in the US would have made such an invasion unthinkable. Within a short time after 9-11, that invasion was carried out with widespread domestic support. It was the transformation of the mood after 9-11 that made possible the creation of this support. This monstrous crime strengthened both the US capitalist class as well as world capitalism.

Had a worker organizer been organizing on their job in the US on September 10, they would have found a completely different mood two days later. Within just 24 hours, a mood developed that we are all one nation, that we as a nation must stick together. Internationally, the growing sentiment against Corporate America was transformed into a sentiment of sympathy for the victims of this criminal attack. The rising anti-capitalist movement was brought to a standstill, especially in the US.

Remembering 9-11 Today

Today, as we remember the 2,966 innocent people who died in the 9-11 attacks as well as all the “first responders” who were sickened and/or died, let us not forget all the Palestinian people whose lives have been destroyed by the combined role of US and Israeli capitalism. Let us not forget those in Pakistan, Afghanistan and elsewhere whose lives have been similarly destroyed nor the destruction of the planet’s environment as a result of the uncontrollable lust for profit. We should renew our dedication to end the end the brutal system which is the cause of these crimes against humanity and crimes against nature. That is the real lesson of 9-11.

About arnulfo

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Gear & Gadgets —

HTC acknowledges security hole in its phones, promises a patch

HTC has admitted that a logging package in its Sense UI overlay gives apps a …

HTC has confirmed the existence of a sizable security flaw in some of its phones, originally found on Sunday by Android Police. While the company says the hole shouldn’t present a problem if users steer clear of shady apps, the company is working on a patch to close the vulnerability, and will push it out to affected owners.

The security hole comes from an application package titled HTCLoggers.apk, which is part of HTC’s Sense UI. That app tracks information, including GPS location, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers, on high-profile phones including the HTC Thunderbolt and EVO 4G. Android Police discovered that any application that had Internet permissions (that is, any application that needs to connect to the Internet for any reason) could access this log, and even forward the data it contains to their own remote servers.

The team that discovered the flaw contacted HTC September 24, but the company didn’t acknowledge the problem until October 3. After investigating, HTC has decided the flaw does need fixing, stating that a "third party malware app" could exploit it, though doing so could violate civil and criminal laws.

HTC states that it wants all customers to be "aware of this potential vulnerability," though it doesn’t know of any customers who have been affected by it as of yet. A patch will be released soon following a "short testing period" by carrier partners, though HTC gives no specific time frame or details on the fix. When ready, the patch will be pushed over-the-air to customers. In the meantime, if you are concerned about your phone’s well being, rooting it and deleting HTCLoggers can solve the problem.

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Law & Disorder —

“Hi, this is Rachel from RoboCaller services calling. Press 1 to be scammed.”

FTC shuts down five robocallers, aims to eliminate "Rachel" for good.

Five robocalling companies that defrauded consumers of an estimated $30 million by promising to lower credit card interest rates in exchange for exorbitant fees have been shut down by the Federal Trade Commission, the agency said today.

The scam is a familiar one. It starts with a call like this: "Hello, this is Rachel at cardholder services, calling in reference to your current credit card account. There are no problems currently with your account. It is urgent that you contact us concerning your eligibility for lowering your interest rates. Your eligibility expires shortly, so please consider this your final notice. Please press the number '1' on your phone to talk with a live operator about lowering your interest rate. Or press the number '2' to discontinue further notices. Thank you, and have a great day."

Pressing "2," of course, rarely has any positive effect. But pressing "1" transfers the call's recipient to a telemarketing boiler room. Here, scammers try to convince their marks they can lower credit card interest rates to as low as 6.9 percent or even 0 percent in exchange for up-front payments of several hundred dollars to $3,000.

"To convince them to pay the fee, telemarketers often say that it will be more than offset by the money the consumer will save through the program," according to the FTC, which held a press conference in Chicago and released details on the lawsuits it has filed. In some cases, the FTC said, "consumers’ credit cards were charged even if they did not agree to pay for the service. In other cases, the defendants allegedly do not disclose a fee at all, or claim there will be no fee." Consumers were told they would save thousands of dollars in finance charges due to lower interest rates, that they would be able to pay off their debt two to three times more quickly, and that the up-front fee would be refunded if those promises weren't met. Of course, fees were rarely refunded.

Have you met Rachel?

"Rachel" herself is an elusive target, but her voice is widely known for a reason. While there are many companies performing the credit card scams, the FTC said they all rely on a smaller number of firms to actually do the computer-operated robocalling. In one case, a company called Asia Pacific Telecom was accused of making 2.6 billion pre-recorded calls over an 18-month period before getting shut down in July. That company's services were used both for credit card and auto insurance scams.

The five telemarketing companies detailed today, three in Florida and two in Arizona, are suspected of outsourcing the calls to companies like Asia Pacific. There is a relatively small number of companies with the technology to make these calls, and a somewhat larger number of wholesalers that connect those robocalling companies to an even bigger number of telemarketing scammers. In the case of Asia Pacific, the company had a legitimate business of sending out charitable and political robocalls (which are legal) to help mask its shady work, FTC Midwest Region Director Steven Baker told Ars in an interview after the press conference.

The FTC receives 200,000 complaints every month about these types of robocalls, and "Rachel" is the most-cited offender, agency officials said. They are effective—one boiler room got 4,500 calls a day from consumers who pressed "1."

The five companies—with the names Treasure Your Success, Ambrosia Web Design, A+ Financial Center, The Green Savers, and Key One Solutions—are facing criminal complaints in US District Court and have had all their assets frozen. The FTC said they violated several federal laws. For one, it's illegal for telemarketers to charge consumers money in advance while promising to reduce their debt. The FTC said they also ignored the Do Not Call list, and violated laws against robocalling and making deceptive sales claims.

Shutting down both the boiler rooms and the robodialers is difficult, but the FTC has some more tricks up its sleeve.

"We have full access to all of their business records and we're going to look at those and figure out who they're paying for dialing," Baker told Ars.

The dialing services, of course, use VoIP technology and caller ID spoofing to hide their identities. Going after the boiler rooms is easier and can have a more immediate positive impact on consumers. The scam targets aren't paying money to the dialers, they're paying money to the telemarketers—so the money trail is easier to identify. The FTC said all the money it collects from the companies whose assets have been frozen will be distributed to the people who were ripped off.

30,000 fooled, $30 million lost

The FTC still has only a rough estimate on the damage caused by these five companies. The estimate as of today is that they scammed more than 30,000 consumers and raked in roughly $30 million.

One of the victims is named Alyce Weisbach, an 84-year-old resident of Illinois who described her experience today at the FTC's press conference. Weisbach got the telemarketing call on October 19, 2011, at a time when she was struggling with credit card debt and had an interest rate of 25 percent on one of her cards.

"All I really remember from our conversation was that he kept promising me that Green Savers would lower my credit card debt and save me a lot of money," she said.

Weisbach ended up giving the telemarketer her credit card numbers, Social Security number, and her mother's maiden name. "As soon as I gave Green Savers my personal information, I regretted it and realized I had made a big mistake," she said.

Weisbach ended up being charged about $1,900. When she tried to get a refund from Green Savers, they claimed they had a legal, verbal contract and refused. FTC officials said the best way for people to get their money back is to dispute the charge with their credit card company, and that they should also file complaints with the FTC. Weisbach ultimately did get her money returned.

Even before today, the FTC had filed 12 cases against robocall operations, five of which were doing credit card scams. Today's announcements bring the total up to 17, and the agency is not done. The FTC is even offering a $50,000 cash prize to anyone capable of devising a technological solution to stop the robocallers in their tracks. "You have people hurting financially, struggling to stay afloat," Baker said. "They can't afford to be ripped off another $3,000," he noted—especially when that charge is going on the same credit card they were struggling to pay off in the first place.

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Is Fine Art a Good Investment?

One of the most rewarding things about collecting fine art is that you’re acquiring something beautiful that’s every bit as inspirational is it is financially satisfying. Few things fill the soul with the same emotion and awe as a beautiful canvas. Moving images of historical people, thought-provoking scenes, and stirring moments from the Bible and beyond serve as a reminder that we are part of something bigger. That alone makes fine art ownership compelling, but it’s also just the beginning.

The best art to invest in are pieces that move you to feel something extraordinary. Whether it’s a spiritual awakening or a reaffirmation of your commitment to a higher power, letting your instincts influence your artistic investments is a surefire way to appreciate your purchases for many years to come.

Art & SoulWorks is dedicated to providing its patrons with artwork that embraces the very best in uplifting creations. At the very heart of our collection is the beautiful work of Akiane Kramarik, whose awe-inspiring visual message of hope has art aficionados clamoring for more.

Where Do I Find Fine Art to Invest In?

When we discover a source of inspiration, it is only natural to want to hold on to that feeling!  Owning an inspirational piece of fine art or an original painting is exciting yet finding fine art to invest in can be a difficult and even frustrating process if you’re not sure where to begin your search. It’s important to locate a professional that specializes in fine art – not all retail establishments value originals, or limited editions prints in the same what that so many collectors do and you want to be sure that your newest purchase is what you expect it to be. Companies that proudly carry licensed pieces with certificates of authenticity and that offer a satisfaction guarantee allow you to feel confident in your decision to invest in the artwork they supply.

Start your journey into spiritually guided art collection by connecting with a noted distributor who shares your devotion to wholeness and faith. The heavenly art showcased by Art & SoulWorks is as eye-opening as it is emotionally electrifying. Check out our incredible array of artists to invest in and infuse your home with inspirations that speak to your heart today.

How do I Invest in Fine Art Paintings?

Investing in fine art paintings starts with enthusiasm. What kind of art moves you? Which paintings will you enjoy viewing each and every day? Will you be proud to show them off to your friends and family? Does the artist’s message align with your beliefs? Will you be inspired? Will your faith be renewed? The answers to all of these questions can help guide you as you chose your path towards smart and fruitful investing.

Another important consideration is the story of the artists themselves. The astonishingly skilled Akiane Kramarik began having visions of God, Jesus, heaven, and angels when she was just 4 years old. At the age of 8, the prodigious Akiane produced a masterpiece entitled “Prince of Peace.”  Word of her four-foot-tall depiction of Jesus raced around the globe, inspiring millions and earning her international acclaim.

To learn more about Akiane, read her biography and view her work for yourself.

Are Fine Art Canvas Giclée Prints Still a Good Investment?

Experienced fine art enthusiasts may already be familiar with Giclée artwork, but for others, this French technique will be a brand new experience. Giclée means “spray,” and indeed Giclée pieces are images that have been digitally captured from the original work and then precision-sprayed onto an artist-grade canvas. The process is intensely meticulous and complete with the utmost in professionalism, result in a piece of art that is fade-resistant, vivid, and of the very best museum quality.

Whereas machine copies masquerading as artwork would not be a worthy investment, Giclée canvas prints would be a worthy addition to any collector’s portfolio-especially Limited Edition that has been signed and numbered by the artist.  Edition Giclee Reproductions should be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity identifying the piece of art, the value of the art and the artist's signature. A legacy, archival quality Giclée piece will retain its remarkable quality and detail for nearly a century, inspiring art lovers for many years to come. If you’re considering investing in canvas prints, begin by experiencing the window to the divine through our Jesus artwork. It may be the greatest gift your collection every receive.

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iPhone 4 Video Achieves New Heights - HD Aerial Video

So, take three helium filled party balloons, convince a friend with an iPhone 4 to allow you to strap it to a makeshift platform under the balloon (no way you're going to use your phone, right?), and release the whole contraption with a very long kite string tether.

I know. I've become obsessed with iPhone 4 video. Sooner or later I'll get back to the Canon 5D Mark II :)

VideoCarl OlsonComment


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Read about Art Intersection events, news, and special interest stories.

Inked: Photogravure with Karen Hymer

If you have ever worked in a printing studio, you are well-acquainted with the smell of printmaking ink; we were happy to break out the aprons and gloves and enjoy that intoxicating aroma of creativity for a full weekend!

During our Photogravure Workshop with Karen Hymer, our participants got to transform their images with ink into handmade prints.  Where traditional copper plate photogravure is time-consuming and requires toxic chemicals, the modern SolarPlate method is much more simple, using only sunlight and water! After exposing their SolarPlate etching plates to UV light under a digitally-printed positive transparency of their image, participants “developed” away in water the areas of their plates not hardened by the sun. Once dry, the plates were ready to be inked and run through our 1870’s etching press! Our students learned how to test for proper exposure of their plates, and they even got to customize their ink and paper choices for printing.

The Open Studio that followed the workshop brought the return of several Art Intersection students of past workshops, reuniting friends in a fun, creative atmosphere. We love hosting Open Studios!

Binding it All Together: Bookmaking with Jace Graf

Our Introduction to Hand-Bookbinding for Photographers with Jace Graf was a stitch! Over the course of two days, each of our fourteen participants made a hand-sewn, multiple signature book and a tri-fold portfolio case for prints or documents. Instructor Jace Graf of Cloverleaf Studio in Austin, Tx led the class through the glueing, cutting, sewing, and folding, all while giving expert advice on how to design their own handmade books in the future. We look forward to seeing what our participants make with this hand-crafted approach to self-publishing!

Mirror, Mirror: Daguerreotypes with Jerry Spagnoli

During our Daguerreotype Workshop with Jerry Spagnoli our participants got to try their hand at the first photographic process!

Daguerreotype is a means of making a photograph that involves sensitizing a highly polished silver plate with iodine vapors, exposing it in a large-format camera, developing and fixing the image, and applying a gilded coating to preserve the plate. Our participants performed all these steps assisted by their instructor. Spagnoli explained the various chemical reactions that took place throughout the process, leading to a better understanding of how light-sensitive materials operate. Through learning how to make Daguerreotypes, our workshop participants gained a historical perspective of how early photographs were made and brought that knowledge into the 21st century by making contemporary images.

Polishing the plate – we broke out the power tools for this workshop!

Sensitizing the plate

Metering for good exposure

Clearing the plate

Checking the plate in good lighting

Gilding the plate – in lieu of the traditional ring stand, we improvised with an old spring!

Exploring Albumen with Jennifer Schlesinger

We were so grateful to have Santa Fe-based artist Jennifer Schlesinger here with us two weeks ago to share her beautiful artwork and knowledge of the albumen process!

Jennifer gave a lecture on Friday evening, during which she discussed both her personal history with albumen as well as a brief history of the medium. She also shared unframed prints of hers, allowed each audience member to view first-hand the magic of albumen prints.

By Saturday morning, our Albumen Workshop was in full swing! After a more detailed print-viewing, including the standards for good print quality and common errors, the class got to work making their own batch of albumen.

This simple concoction of egg whites, acetic acid, distilled water and ammonium chloride forms a protein-packed binder that prevents the light-sensitive silver nitrate from soaking into the base paper, as well as providing a unique pearl sheen to the surface of the print. The egg whites must be separated from the yolks and strained several times through cheesecloth, which breaks down the stringy protein structures.

Once combined with the other necessary ingredients, the albumen must be beaten well to further denature the egg whites and ensure that everything is thoroughly mixed. The new albumen mixture must sit for at least two weeks to cure before use and never expires, although the rotten-egg smell that increases as it ages may render it unusable.

The albumen mixture is beaten to “soft peaks”

When the albumen has cured (in our workshop we used a pre-made batch), a flotation method is used to coat it onto paper for printing. Although this coating method requires great delicacy and skill, all of our participants did a wonderful job coating their papers!

Coated sheets left to dry overnight

Class participants Barbara, Shari, and Cesar gather ’round the light table to help Chris select a negative to use

On Sunday, the participants coated their albumen sheets with silver nitrate, again using the floatation method. Once coated with silver nitrate the paper is light-sensitive, so this step and all processing were executed under red safelights.  The coated papers dried, and the participants printed in our three UV exposure units through digital negatives of their images that had been produced by Art Intersection prior to the workshop. The exposed sheets were run through a series of processing trays, washed, toned with selenium, and washed again.

Jennifer helps her students assess their exposure times while printing

Jennifer and Tom compare two prints made at different exposures

Participants tone and wash their finished prints

Led by the expert help of Jennifer Schlesinger, our participants made fantastic, handmade prints!

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December Portfolio Sharing

Last week we held a Portfolio Sharing in the Art Intersection Galleries! Participating in a Portfolio Sharing event is a benefit of all member levels, and we hold about three per year. This pleasant mid-day event was attended by many familiar Art Intersection characters, but we were pleased to welcome some new faces as well. Participating members had the opportunity to share the work they’re currently making, receive feedback from a public audience and answer questions about their art.

Emily Matyas shows prints from her Coming to America series

Fred Ullrich shares contact-sized inkjet prints of his 5×7 landscape and studio work

Cesar Laure shares fascinating images of far-away objects and people amid the clouds

Visitors admire David Emitt Adams’ brand-new piece from his Power series

Brad Armstrong discusses his 8×10 silver gelatin landscapes

Peter Schrager shares the silver gelatin prints he’s made in the Photographic Arts Lab over the past week

It was fun for us to see what everyone’s been up to! Thanks to all that attended. Look out for our next Portfolio Sharing event in March 2017. If you are not currently a member and would like to participate, sign up here

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(re)View and Imprint Celebration

To celebrate our exhibition of (re)View: Abstract, Land, and the Narrative, we hosted a Walk and Talk in the Galleries with Philip V. Augustin, BK Skaggs, and Melanie Walker. Each of the artists spoke about the inspiration surrounding their artwork, how the exhibited pieces evolved, and the conceptual ideas they are interested in. We were grateful for the opportunity to hear their comments and gain some insight into the work of these three fascinating artists! Special thanks to Philip and Melanie who travelled from New Mexico and Colorado to be with us – we’re glad you could be here!

Following the Walk and Talk was an Artist Reception for both (re)View and Imprint, our sculptural exhibition featuring Alexandra Bowers and Mary Meyer, who both had additional pieces available for our Holiday Sale. Thank you to everyone who came out, enjoyed the artwork, and provided thoughtful conversation!

Philip V. Augustin speaks about his work in (re)View

Philip V. Augustin

(re)View artist Melanie Walker shares some valuable insight to her artistic inspiration

Melanie Walker

BK Skaggs gives an attentive audience the backstory to his works in (re)View

BK Skaggs

Wood-burned pieces by Alexandra Bowers for the Imprint Artists’ Holiday Sale

Works by Mary Meyer featured in the Imprint Artists’ Holiday Sale

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The Art of the Book

Jace Graf shows Dan Winters’ book in The Physical Photograph exhibition at Art Intersection

When I flip through Kate Breakey’s Las Sombras photobook, I am reminded of the beautiful and glowing photograms I encountered on my first day interning at Art Intersection. I remember being fascinated with the pieces as we laid out Breakey’s massive installation of life-size prints of desert animals, exhibited in ornate vintage frames. The work was so striking and amazing that I fell in love with it right away. As a young collector, I couldn’t buy one of her original pieces, but I was thrilled to find her book of the series just a few years later in the MOPA bookstore in San Diego. It’s my favorite photobook I own and a way to now appreciate that entire body of work anytime I want.

Books often become special objects that are phenomenal works of art, while also engaging the viewer with something more tangible. Touching the pages, flipping each sheet to pace viewing, seeing the ink on paper, all of these things create an intimate experience completely unique from looking at framed prints on a gallery wall or zipping through digital files on a screen.

Book of Palladium prints by Kelsey Vance from Home Bound exhibition at Art Intersection

This year during PhotoTapas Day at Art Intersection, I had the pleasure of moderating the Photobooks After Funding Panel Discussion with artists and book designers in an open forum about why we make art books to share and express our work. Artist William W. Fuller shared his entire process of crowdfunding, designing, and publishing his first monograph The City. Through discussions, education, and the Photographic Arts Lab, Art Intersection serves to provide resources for print-on-demand publishing, handmade art books, and traditional publishing.
Whether an artist, collector, or admirer of work, art books can be appreciated as an alternative to standard ways of collecting, exhibiting, and sharing images. In the New Year we will be offering more opportunities at Art Intersection to engage with the bookmaking medium and I am excited to begin creating my own photography book of my current work!

Gina DeGideo
Gallery Manager

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Platinum/Palladium with Michael T. Puff

Late last month we had the pleasure of hosting a Platinum/Palladium workshop in our Photographic Arts Lab led by San Francisco-based artist Michael T. Puff! A master of this luminous, tonally-rich process, Michael led our eleven participants in making gorgeous prints of their own images.

Platinum/Palladium printing, a photographic process invented in the 19th century,  has long been a favorite of alternative process photographers for its highly archival nature and infinite variations of gray tones as highlights shift to shadows. In the process Michael uses, ferric oxalate, palladium, and sodium chloroplatinate are mixed together, hand-brushed onto 100% cotton rag paper, exposed to UV light through a digital negative, and then processed with potassium oxalate and sodium thiosulfate. The end result is a handcrafted print that is estimated to retain its appearance for a thousand years!

Thank you to all of our wonderful participants, and of course to Michael for traveling to us to share his expertise!

Michael instructs the class on mixing the chemicals and coating their paper

The participants mark where the image portion of their digital negatives will be centered on their paper

After exposing a coated piece of paper to UV light, Michael demonstrates developing the print

Participants process their exposed prints

Cyd looks at the class’s finished work at the end of the day

Gorgeous work produced by the students pinned up on the critique board

Michael talks about successes and things to work on with the students

Beautiful work by Lloyd Matthews

Luminous prints by Deb Alberty

A delicate, icy print by our very own Business Manager, Debra Wilson!

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Snowflakes and Sprinkles

My favorite holiday tradition is baking and decorating sugar cookies. My mom and I have done this since I was a little girl and now the holidays just don’t feel the same without them. So, on Saturday my mom came over to make cookies and my husband even helped. He’s getting better at decorating than I am!

The snowflakes were my favorite this year, they look so pretty and festive.

These cookies aren’t only pretty, they’re yummy too! My recipe is very simple and I just make a confectioner’s sugar frosting and use a little food coloring to get the light greens, pinks, blues, and purples I want.

Sugar Cookie Recipe:

  • 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 5 cups all-purpose bleached flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

Mix together butter and sugar until creamy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Slowly mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for 2 hours.

Bake cut-out cookies for 6 to 8 minutes at 400 degrees  on a lightly greased cookie sheet (I use Pam).

Frosting- Mix together powdered sugar and milk (soy milk works as well) until you get the consistency you like. I like it thin so I can paint on the frosting and it dries quickly, but you can add more powdered sugar to make it thicker. Add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla depending on quantity and food coloring to your liking.

7 thoughts on “Snowflakes and Sprinkles

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Hum! What do you think?

As you all know I have a thread that is for nothing but chandelier’s. I think they are the coolest thing since sliced bread and can add or take away from a room.

I came across these the other day while roaming around…different for sure!!!

This one is soooo cool and I love the effect that the lighting puts off in the room..

Love the  groin ceiling and the leaf application. Not sure about the pink chandelier in this room though, but it is the first thing you see.

~ by Chatty Renee on April 18, 2010.

7 Responses to “Hum! What do you think?”

  1. I like the first pic by a mile!

    Hope all is well.

  2. Am not sure about the pink, either but they are uber-cool. I think you love chandeliers as much as I love spiral staircases! 🙂

  3. Just stopping by to say hi. I hope all is well.

    We’ve got a whole new site. Plus podcast coming soon.

  4. I love the chandeliers. They have similar ones at the Borgata in Atlantic City.

  5. Those two pretty pink ones must cost a fortune.

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Wolves - Watercolor Painting, Framed

$ 8.00

An original watercolor painting of three wolves. Their heads come together, two of them showing submission to the alpha. Their bodies blend into the green watercolor strokes.

If you’d like text added to the front of the card make a note during checkout (no extra charge).

Original painting includes frame.

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