Andres Institute of Art - Volunteer Opportunities

Andres Institute of Art Volunteer Opportunities

Andres Institute of Art thanks all of its fabulous volunteers. Your efforts nurture both art and nature,
and strengthen community bonds locally and worldwide.

Those interested in volunteering please call 603-673-8441 and leave a message for the
Trail Committee, or contact us at volunteer@andresinstitute.org

Current Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteers are encouraged to walk the trails with a good set of clippers or loppers whenever they visit the
sculpture park to cut back traffic-impeding growth or branches that get in the way of viewing the works of art from
any angle. Please throw clippings well into the woods so they are not a hazard or a distraction to the setting of a
sculpture.

The primary site and trail goals are to increase sculpture visibility and nurture the Mountain Laurel and
Blueberry bushes already growing in these areas.

We need weed whackers! Help in this battle will be appreciated longer than it takes the weeds to grow back.

Volunteer Opportunities for September's Symposium:
It takes a village to bring 4 sculptures into the world, and its never too early to begin rounding
up folks that are ready to pitch in!
Your help at this time could not be appreciated more!

Sculpture Site Prep

Welding, stone grinding, heavy equipment operating

Food for Artists

Hosts for Artists

Transportation

For more details choose any of these options to leave your contact information and we will get back to you. Call
us at 603-673-8441 and leave a message for the Trail Committee, or contact us at
volunteer@andresinstitute.org

Recently Completed Volunteer Project:"

In August of 2009 in collaboration with local Girl Scout Troop 11334, the Institute has added a new resource to the
website for visitors who can’t make the regularly scheduled guided tours. As a public service project for a non-
profit organization, Hollis Girl Scout Becky Kabel, created an audio tour for the Quarry Trail. Gathering
information and conducting interviews with staff and volunteers, including John Weidman, Anna Szok, Jennifer
Starr and many others, Becky recorded audio tracks for each sculpture along the Quarry Trail, then uploaded
them as MP3 files to the Institute’s website for visitors to download and listen to during their visit to the sculpture
park.

Many thanks to Becky for getting this initiative off the ground and completing the first leg. With this project Becky
is working toward the Gold Award, the highest recognition a Girl Scout can achieve. We’d also like to thank the
many volunteers who contributed time, ideas, interviews, writing and editing. Without their selfless dedication,
none of this would have been possible.

Sculpture Adoption:
Check out the list of symposium and artist page for sculptures in need of adoption. Those highlighted in blue
are already adopted. Those not highlighted are in need of adoption. Sculpture Adoption Handbook

Plea to all Current Sculpture Adopters:
Its time for this season's winter clean up! The Sites and Trails committee is encouraging all
adopters to clear their sites of branches, acorns and other debris left from last season. We
need everyone to inspect their sculptures and report back by phone, 603-673-8441, or by email,
volunteer@andresinstitute.org .

Let us know if there is any damage or wear to your sculpture.
Take advantage of this brief bug free moment in New England-
We Rely on You!

If you haven't seen it already, we've got a Lovely Handbook for Sculpture Adopters you can request a
copy from the Trails Committee or print off an individual sculpture from the list of symposium and
artist page.
Also, make sure that Anna Szok has your e-mail address and/or phone number as improving
communications with our volunteers is a big priority this summer!
THANK YOU!

DONATIONS (always) WANTED:
Natural Things of Beauty
Many of our newer sites need weathered natural objects to help them look a part of their
surroundings.

Old logs, mossy, rotten stumps, a chunk of bark or an interesting rock of any size.
All kinds of Moss (quick magic for sculpture naturalizing!!)
Ferns, so many varieties grow well on Big Bear

If it’s cool, natural, and not too big to carry, we’ll find a home for it! These donations can be left at
the trail head anytime.

Thoughts from a Longtime Volunteer...

For the second year in a row, Andres Institute hosted a group of Daniel Webster College students.
For them, it was an opportunity to help out around the Sculpture Park and learn first-hand about the
role of public art in community development. For me, it was an occasion to ruminate on why I feel so
good about the work I do for this hill in Brookline, NH. When it was my turn to speak to the students, I
found myself saying, “Really, this is my mountain…”

I mean, it feels like my mountain. As I put my time and my care into a trail or a sculpture site, I can’t
help but think about the people who will come this way, and see this place just as I left it… a bridge
between the art from the artists and the natural environment they placed it in. As I work, sculpture
sites and trails become inspirations for others to explore. I love knowing that what I do becomes part
of the experience shared by people from the community. A community that includes not only
Brookline, or even New England, but the whole world. No matter how many changes my physical
address may endure, there is a part of Big Bear that will always be mine, and through it, I feel like I’m
part of what is making this world a better place.

For ten years and counting I’ve been a part of the effort that has turned a bunch of abandoned ski
trails into a natural format for accessing art, free of charge. It’s been a consistently rewarding
experience that’s best when shared.

At the end of our day with our college students, one who ran the leaf blower on an entire trail loop
exclaimed that he knew just what I meant. He felt like that trail was his trail, and he was glad to have
had a chance to care about it.

All are invited to come hike our trails and view our art. If you would like to be a valued part of our
volunteer effort, click on the “Volunteer Opportunities” link. Or, give our studio a call at 603-673-8441
and leave a message.

Give yourself a reason to visit our Sculpture Park in all seasons- be a part of what strengthens the
Positive Andres presence in this world.

Anna Szok,
Sites and Trails Committee

Previous thoughts from a long time volunteer...

I grew up in a family that loves to walk and explore the naturally occurring world all around us. I
remember marveling over an unused birds’ nest with my dad and hunting for wildflowers with my
mom. Soon I was walking the woods on my own, dragging home otherworldly rocks from a seasonal
stream bed, and learning the topography of the state by traipsing all over it.

Now I’m the mom out walking with my kids. Here on Big Bear we’ve found turkey egg shells, the best
blueberries anywhere, and every year, right around the blossoming of the Mountain Laurel, dozens
and dozens of Red Efts. "Newt Friends" my son and I affectionately call them!

Most of these things need to stay right where they occur for several reasons. They are an important
piece of habitat and their beauty should be left for the next hiker to discover.

However, there are plenty of objects off the beaten path that can be salvaged and carefully brought to
this park where they will be on display with our man-made beauty. I invite all who read this to bring a
found natural treasure to the Andres Trail Head. The next time you tour our sculptures you may find
your donation once again!
I Thank You for your participation!

Anna Szok,
Sites and Trails Committee

Volunteer Opportunities