University art collections present particular challenges — and opportunities -- for innovative interpretation. At the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University. 17th century religious paintings, 19th century landscapes and 20th century Warhols all exist together.  It’s like a tapas menu—small bites of lots of different things.  Add to that mix a bit of everything in terms of participants—from history museums to arts organizations—and it was a chance to literally and figuratively mix it up.  As a presenter, this gave me a chance to mix it up as well.

Presenters as Activators
As a presenter, there are always those first few moments when you’re puzzling out a room full of participants:  will they want to try activities?  What will they find in common?  Are they lively or will they stand there with their arms crossed?
 
My two big lessons as a presenter are:

• Start as you mean to continue. Don’t begin with a lecture if you want them to be lively discussants.
• Participants only give back the energy the presenter puts in the room.  Bring it and they will too.