By Julia Barton EBS Editorial Assistant
From Oct. 25-27, the Arts Council of Big Sky sponsored artist Ken Waldman, who refers to himself as “Alaska’s fiddling poet,” to spend time with local students as well as members of the community.
Waldman is a former college professor with a master’s degree in creative writing. He uses his passion for the arts to fuel visits to hundreds of schools across the country and aid them in arts education.
His lessons are unique, as Waldman uses fiddle-playing and interactive poetry to engage with students. During his time in Big Sky, he spent time at Ophir Elementary and Middle School, as well as the Big Sky Discovery Academy. He also led a writing workshop for Lone Peak High School students and adults.
To round out his time in Big Sky, on Friday, Oct. 27, beginning at 5 p.m., Waldman will host an old-time music variety show at the Rainbow Ranch Lodge. This event is open to any community members who wish to see what Alaska’s fiddling poet truly has to offer.
The Arts Council has put in significant effort in the last year towards increasing community art programs to augment the painting and writing workshops, summer concerts, and art-related initiatives the organization already spearheads, both in and out of the classroom.
Julia Barton is lending her writing talent to the pages of EBS during her final year at Lone Peak High School.
