Pat Fallon is Professor & Chairperson, The Art Department & Professor, Ursuine Studies Core Program, Ursuline College, Cleveland, Ohio. Pat has offered to lead the November 2008 Midtown Brews conversation with the help of students, faculty, and the Midtown Brews community focusing on art and advocacy.

I recently asked Pat about her views on her work and how her passions connect to her students, colleagues and the public. Here are her responses:

1. What are you most passionate about now?  Teaching and exploring possibilities in my printmaking  as well as painting to further my career as an artist but also to share with students my findings, concerns, advocacies, and studio results in a teaching/learning situation.
2. What should people know, think, feel, and do?  People should know what is going on in the world and in their communities.  I don't tell people how to feel or think, though I do believe if more people "centered themselves" in a quiet time, they would think and feel better.  What people do, though their own business, is exactly what I am about.  I would like all people to respond positively to those in need, without judgment or blame.
3. What do you see for the future?  A better world.  I am a born optimist.

By 'fine tuning' our selves, we're able to respond positively to those in need, without judgement or blame. This approach to behavior certainly seems to work well in open environments; accepting the idea of abundance and that every idea has value and a place in the larger scheme of things.

Hope you'll join us in November at Midtown Brews hosted at Insivia, a midtown technology company. Help us to build a rich conversation about the value of art and advocacy.