Art is a language for communication. I have been learning new "languages" and this is also part of my professional development. The more I learn, the better I am able to serve the student and the better I am able to respond to the student's needs. I have also participated in a number of workshops in which I had an interest. I continue to do independent study of blacksmithing, ceramics, wrought iron, the techniques of chainmaille, lithic analysis and knapping along with the heat treatment of stone, fused glass, cast iron and bronze, as well as my ongoing interests in current trends in ceramics, sculpture, and jewelry. Independent study in these areas has necessitated a great deal of reading and research as well as sitting in on Phil Shelly's "Flint Knapping and Lithic Analysis class as well as taking numerous classes through the Mesalands Community College's Art Department.

Over the years I have also attended a number of workshops on topics such as collaborative learning, learning disabilities, monumental sculpture, first aid, fire safety, ITV, grant writing and setting up fine arts councils. I've attended a national metalworking event annually for the past five years. The Iron Pour workshops in Tucumcari are held nearby but are definitely national in scope - drawing students, professionals, and the leader from across the country. The skills and information I've brought back from these workshops have had a direct influence on my own work and on that of the students I share it with. The workshops have also resulted in a new exhibition opportunity for me and for several of my students who also attended. Another result was a documentary film about the workshop and the iron pour process, produced by KENW-TV. The production of this video was initiated by me and, while it provides great PR for Mesalands Community College, it also provides an original video for KENW and may well be seen as a recruiting device. As a result of attending these workshops I am able to share information, experiences, and resources with other metalworking artists, both in and out of academia, across the country.

Even regional workshops can offer an abundance of information and experiences for me as a teacher and an artist and provide support for Art Department programs. Several of my students and I attended a concrete sculpture workshop given by Firebourne Studio in Clovis and came away with new information and techniques which are now utilized regularly in my classroom. The Pintores Art League bronze casting presentation by Andy Wilkes, a full-time professional artist from Texas, also provided new information and techniques which are now used for casting in my classroom. The Pat Barret "Surviving As An Artist" workshop offered in Tucumcari dealt with professionalism in the arts. This is information I'm able to use myself as well as share with my students. The national mold-making workshop in Tucumcari, conducted by casting professional Tim Nimmo of Wisconsin, gave me information and techniques which are now used not only in my own classes but also in other Art Department classes like the Interdisciplinary class.

Recent Workshops and Conferences Attended:

• 2009 - Bubonicon 41 Science Fiction Convention, Albuquerque (national)
• 2009 - Iron Pour, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari (national)
• 2008 - FEMA ICS100 workshop, Portales, NM
• 2008 - Bubonicon 40 Science Fiction Convention, Albuquerque (national)
• 2008 - Iron Pour, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari (national)
• 2007 - Bubonicon 39 Science Fiction Convention, Albuquerque (national)
• 2007 - Iron Pour, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari (national)
• 2006 - Bubonicon 38 Science Fiction Convention, Albuquerque (national)
• 2004 - Iron Pour, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari (national)
• 2004 - Bubonicon 36 Science Fiction Convention, Albuquerque (national)
• 2003 - Iron Pour, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari (national)
• 2003 - Bubonicon 35 Science Fiction Convention, Albuquerque (national)
• 2002 - Iron Pour, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari (national)
• 2002 - NEH Diversity and Globalization Workshop, ENMU
• 2002 - Extended Learning Scuba Diving Course, ENMU
• 2002 - Bubonicon 34 Science Fiction Convention, Albuquerque (national)
• 2002 - Writing Across the Curriculum Workshop, ENMU
• 2001 - Iron Pour, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari (national)
• 2001 - Bronze Workshop, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari
• 2001 - Ways of Talking About Art Workshop by Jackie M. of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Portales
• 2001 - Successful Artist Workshop with Pat Barrett, Tucumcari
• 2001 - Casting Workshop, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari
• 2000 - Harwood Art Center Public Art Workshop, Albuquerque
• 2000 - Classroom Assessment Techniques Workshop, ENMU
• 2000 - Creating a Virtual Campus Teleconference, ENMU
• 2000 - Iron Pour, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari (national)
• 2000 - MarcoPolo Internet Content for the Classroom Workshop, ENMU
• 1999 - NM Higher Education Assessment Conference, Albuquerque
• 1999 - Bronze Workshop, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari
• 1999 - Iron Pour, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari (national)
• 1998 - Jewelry Conference, Albuquerque
• 1998 - Tim Nimmo Mold Workshop, Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari
• 1998 - Concrete Sculpture Workshop, Firebourne Studio, Clovis
• 1998 - New Deal Art Restoration Workshop, Dr Duane Chartie