I grabbed a quick hug from dear friend Neita Fran Ward right before we went on air with the amazing Sandy Newton, too.

I recently joined Neita Fran Ward, owner of Valerosa Designs and Gallery and Sandra Newton, TISD’s Director of Visual and Performing Arts, on Art Connections, KTBB‘s Saturday morning radio show. We talked about how creative conversations can change everything in family and community.

I always learn stuff when I show up to talk with Neita Fran and Sandy.  (Sign up for all our Camp Krafve Fireside Talk Radio FREE interviews and blogs.)

What I Learned

For instance, did you know that for the third year in a row that TISD won the NAMM‘s National Award for Best Communities for Music Education?

Nationwide only 686 winners, according to Sandy, and 80 of them were in Texas this year! Of over a thousand districts in Texas, little ole Tyler snagged the honor! Of course, the real winners are the creative kids who grow up to be confident, creative adults.

“When you have all the puzzle pieces that’s what makes it happen,” acknowledged Sandy.

“It’s something to be very proud about, very pleased about. And you’re setting these kids up for a lifetime of success,” added Neita Fran. Happily, they specifically mentioned the Tyler Youth Orchestra and the Tyler Museum of Art, to name just a couple of outstanding art-enhancing community organizations here.

Creative Conversations

From there we talked about all kinds of creative conversations. What are some innovative ways we can affect change in family and community? For just a sampling of all the stuff we talked about:

• Education and self-education
• Encouraging your kids to be critical thinkers
• Ideas for how to write a book
• Resources for first time authors
• The boomerang effect of welcome
• How to step into fear and do it anyway
• Why we need uniting conversations in family and community

I love talking to these two tender-hearted women. They are so much fun and very passionate about encouraging creative people! While the podcast this week is on KTBB, I love it when follow the link and listen in! Why? Because YOU are important to me! ❤️