For our fourth interview of the 2022 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to DEFAD’s own Technical Director Brandon S. Boas about his 11 years of event support, the importance of education in the arts community, mental diversity, and his new “Glitch” series. Thanks, Brandon!
We like to know how people are connected to Delaware Fun a Day - are you a resident, born and raised? What brings you to this event?
I’ve never officially been a resident of Delaware, but I’ve been right next door to it living in Cecil County. Although when it comes to Delaware Fun-A-Day, I’ve always been involved with it since it’s inception, 11 years ago. Whether it was as an art subject, participant, organizer, or technical director behind the scenes, it has been one of the longest running events I’ve consistently been with throughout the years.
This is going to be your FIFTH year participating in DEFAD, but you’ve been a fan and a supporter of the event since its inception! Can you describe your favorite past Fun-A-Day project that you’ve completed? And can you describe your favorite DEFAD project that you’ve seen in all these years?
It’s been a whirlwind of projects, but I would have to pick my “Familiar Faces” exhibit from DEFAD’s 2nd year in 2012. It was a project where I took photographs of historical buildings in Cecil County and gave them each a personal name. I feel historical places are valuable to understanding the past, but we as a community don’t identify with them like we do with each other. Hence the reason I gave them names and mini stories to go with them for that exhibit.
As for my favorite DEFAD project, I’m honestly incredibly biased with this one, but during the first year of DEFAD, my wife Meredith S. K. Boas’s project was “Beard A Day”. It was a project that involved putting me into several different Cosplays or working with me as the model to exemplify and showcase the many wonders of my beard. From dressing up as a Sea Captain, a Leprechaun, a Safari Adventurer, and many more characters. Meredith even made a peculiar abstract art piece involving ping pong paddles with a hair ball made of my beard hair, it was truly a spontaneous idea that was fun to be a part of.
You’re actually the husband of Meredith S. K. Boas, who is the longest running participant of DEFAD! This event began in 2011, just a year after you started dating Meredith in 2010. Meredith hasn’t missed a year yet, and this is her 11th year of participation, and it’s currently her 4th year as a Lead Organizer of the event. You’ve seen it all, and you’ve had the unique opportunity to see the event from all angles - so tell us - what are the highs and lows of this style of community event?
Has it been that many years already? That caught me by surprise, as I also think Meredith has led more years than just four (time flies when you are having fun). When it comes to the highs of Delaware Fun a Day, there are too many to count. Being able to bring an artistic exhibit to the community that anyone can participate in is truly heart warming. You get to see all of these families from toddlers to elders participate. For some it’s entertainment, therapy, or a way to socially connect. This event embodies the definition of community.
As for lows, I would have to be honest and say securing venues for the event. We’ve been lucky for many years throughout this journey to always find a wonderful place to hold it, with some being places we held it many years in a row. However, with time moving forward, managers/owners/employees being shifted within these venue spaces, and the evolving scenarios that alter the path we might be familiar with, it continues to be modified and tested throughout time. It’s one thing to sound the horn for all of our amazing artists to start their projects, but it’s another (and usually months of work and build up) to get the venue secured.
To be or not to be - that is the question. What if Delaware Fun-A-Day had never come to be? How do you think that would have altered your life, or your life with Meredith? Has it brought more joys or more challenges? What would you change about this event? Do you think that DEFAD is impactful and is it important for it to continue?
That’s a pretty loaded question, but you are lucky I’m a talker. If DEFAD would had never come to be, I believe that would have left a gap for artists wide open - with nowhere to advocate and display. Most gallery spaces are curated, juried, and have limitations, which ostracizes the many talented artists/creators that we have in our area that don’t fit a certain “norm”. If it hadn’t been DEFAD I would hope that something similar had come to be or that someone’s energy for the arts (maybe even ours in all honesty) would have brought an event with the same drive and goals.
I think that Meredith and I, without this event, would have eventually created our own community one way or another. Both of us have always been huge advocates of creative communities and bringing them joyful events and opportunities.
Overall, I believe DEFAD has brought more joy than challenges. Some years were harder than others, while some scenarios are also harder mentally. But to see the community come together and enjoy something that we all made together always takes away any stress or feelings of hardship.
After 11 years, what changes I would like to make? I always stick with the idea of “go big or go home”. I would love to see DEFAD become an event that is not only created all month long, but showcased all month long. I’d like to see it incorporate workshops, panels, and other activities that would create it into more of a convention for the community than just a one-off exhibit. We have the opportunity to create something great and the community that is talented enough to bring it to the table, so that change would be fantastic, but not easy.
I believe DEFAD is more impactful and important to the community and artists than we even know. I’m thankful to see the growth of the event over the past near-decade. I’ve heard stories of triumph, growth, excitement, resolve, and many others. For all of those reasons and more, including just being able to story tell our own lives to each other and share the passion of art, I believe it is important that this event continues.
Tell us about your favorite past exhibit year. You’ve seen all of our exhibit spaces both in person and virtually. Do you think the show performs better in person or virtually? Tell us a little about the experience of getting the opening reception ready to be live on Youtube during the 2021 virtual year.
The second year was likely my favorite venue, as it was literally in a gutted out floor of a building on Market Street in Wilmington, Delaware. It was stripped bare so we were allowed to literally do whatever we wanted as organizers, participants, and an audience. The whole floor was going to be fully renovated once the show was out of it. It just had that grunge aesthetic to it and truly was one of the most laid back and fun spaces to showcase work. No rules!
As for overall exhibit year, I would have to say the one we were able to squeeze in right before the pandemic was my favorite show. We had so many artists, with all of them being excited about returning to the Center for the Creative Arts, as it is a huge space that when curated accordingly, can show so much of the venue and artists work in a safe space. We also were able to pair with some local eateries and breweries for food, have a few musical performances, and an amazing DJ at the show. Luckily, that show went off as everything started shutting down for the pandemic and it was arguably the best overall put together show.
With that being said, shows absolutely do better in person. Being able to meet, share, document, and be surrounded by others who shared the same goal of trying to get done a piece of artwork a day, sharing stories on triumphs and tribulations throughout the process, and the many reasons can’t be told any better than in person. The virtual exhibit still went extremely well and had a large attendance though.
As technical director, is was fun to run the show virtually from start to finish without any hiccups or issues. We got to record wonderful Zoom interviews with other community organizers and artists before the live show to showcase other spaces throughout Delaware that are ready to help the community grow like Newark Arts Alliance, Center for the Creative Arts, Jester Art Space, and the Route 9 Library Maker Space.
Overall, the virtual show was awesome and went without a hitch, as it had a ton of other behind the scene things that we needed to take care of like switching scenes and videos on our digital broadcast studio, doing live raffles on the show to send out prizes and other items, as well as constantly being in conversation when we were live without missing a beat, and also being able to moderate the YouTube chat and channel.
You’re currently the director of Interactive Media Productions at the Cecil County School of Tech, you’ve taught at Wilmington University, Salem Community College, and Cecil College in the fields of Digital Media, Game Design, Video Production, Web Design, and related fields - it’s safe to say that you put a value on technology and how it plays an integral part in the creative field - so tell us how those various disciplines have impacted your approach to creativity. What area of expertise is your favorite? How have you incorporated that knowledge into your projects?
I would say that I’m technological “tinker”, one that believes we can find many solutions through using our minds and being able to apply them to work one with technology. I think the part that brings me the most joy when it comes to technology is that I always feel it’s challenging. Constantly evolving, growing, learning new tools, new features, - it all keeps you on your toes. It’s constantly solving problems with your own education, critically thinking, and it’s a ton of fun for me.
It doesn’t matter if I’m taking a photo, manipulating a photo, designing a website, or any other scenario (I’ve worked with applications than I can count), the idea of breaking down problems and finding solutions helps me grow into an even better person and professional.
I started in video production and I’ll always have a soft spot for it. I feel you have to bring together all of the things you learn, across disciplines in the world of interactive media to stay informative and enticing. Having photography skills, Adobe Suite knowledge to make marketing assets, website building skills, and knowing video editing - all works together. Here’s the insider scoop for anyone reading this interview - no matter which discipline you’re in when it comes to interactive media, all of these things meld together and make you a Swiss Army Knife in the world of multi-media production. You’re all the tools and skills in one!
I incorporate all of my knowledge into being a technological tinker and problem-solver to bring out the best going into a project for my clients or students. Having the knowledge to help a person, a business, or anybody that needs help with interactive media is something I’m excited to continue to then turn around and help others grow personally or professionally. It’s the biggest reason I continue being a teacher after already 13 years and counting in this career.
What are some programs that you would recommend to participants to take if they were seeking certifications or more “professional” tutelage? Do you have tools that you would recommend for folks to use or training avenues you think folks should explore?
Becoming an Adobe Certified Professional showcases that you understand the suite and would allow you to prosper if given a job or task within that software. Adobe Certified Professional includes Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Animate certifications, which I would highly recommending striving to achieve whether it be the ones you are most interested in or all of them.
For beginners (those that have LinkedIn accounts) I would advise them to take the Skills Assessments that LinkedIn offers. That shows potential employers and clients that you understand those programs. Although these assessments are not in depth like the certification test, they still put the participant under pressure with a time limit and quickly having to answer questions correctly while they are being compared to others that took the assessment. Only the top 20% earn the badge, so it allows you to gauge and understand where you need improvement.
For professional tutelage, I recommend going to your local community college and taking some classes within the field of study you want to partake. Whether you are out of high school or been out of school for a while, it never hurts to go back to learn more. Also look at community partners, organizations, and companies that hosts workshops, a lot are free!
Lastly, your library is a great answer. Whether it be checking out some books with your library card, using their computers or maker labs, taking a workshop - your local library will always be a great place to grow.
Do you encourage your students to participate in Delaware Fun-A-Day? Do you recommend for kids or teens to do daily practice of working on their creative endeavors?
My students are encouraged to participate in Delaware Fun a Day every year, yet this time around was a bit harder since they are all on Summer break currently. When it’s during the school year, my class usually comes together to pick a theme and each student as well as teacher and support staff, creates work that we submit into the exhibit.
I have told my students many times during our class lectures and capstone assignments that daily practice is important. Whether it be doing a self evaluation of your current work with precise criticism, trying to add a new tool to your skills bank, or just expressing yourself whether it be a mini sketch or a project that takes weeks, it is always important to organically grow yourself as an artist. Yet I also tel my students it is important to take breaks as well, the mind needs time to rest and recuperate to see the work they are completing clearly and to their growing standards.
(left) Sheila works in the Grunge Muffin Designs studio (right) Meredith & Brandon are husband and wife.
You’re also a co-owner of Grunge Muffin Designs, a multimedia studio that you own with your wife Meredith. The studio offers creative visual services for businesses and professional individuals who may need branding, web or graphic design, commercial illustration, social media, or video production, to name a few - you’ve helped to work with a lot of artists and arts organizations over the years… What are the three things that you think are the most important for folks to consider when they start on the path to becoming a full-time professional art business?
I only get to name three things? Trick question right? This might be the hardest question to answer yet because honestly there are so many possibilities. So let me try my best to give three that are the most valuable.
Creating a brand for yourself. Any business that is successful has an identity, one that people will know exactly what they represent when they see the brand design, logo, or anything related to them. So make sure you have a brand in place that you can promote and grow from.
Make sure to be yourself. The world can be suffocating sometimes when it comes to how we are suppose to present ourselves and how to act. There are ways to look professional and still be yourself - so make sure not to lose yourself in the shuffle. One easy way to stay happy is to not hide the real you.
Have great Customer Service. You need to drum up business, network with others within your local area, network through the web with your contacts - but always be your brand, yourself, and tie them together when you are presenting yourself. You got the brand and you are out there with confidence being yourself, but now you got to bring it on home with treating clients with respect and care.
How about when it comes to Artsy and Techy kids - what do you recommend for these younglings? You teach summer camps throughout the Maryland and Delaware area for kids in both art and tech disciplines, often combining those skill sets together. Do you have recommendations for guardians of these kids about how they can get them involved in different avenues of learning beyond the regular school day?
Summer Camps will always be valuable for these students. It gets them out and about and puts them with their peers to grow socially. When it comes to continuing education I always point students toward high powered software that is free to download and safe. When it comes to the Adobe Creative Cloud, there are also more than I can count free programs that have the same tools and options the Creative Suite has.
When it comes to Summer Camps, I would also point back to your local library. Today’s library is super modern, filled with technology, but also classes, workshops, and groups that can be empowering for teens and kids especially. Libraries are community-focused, and have sections and rooms for specific ages like children, teenagers, and adults. They can access everything they need to be entertained or motivated.
Lastly, I would try to set a schedule with your child or teenager to have “activity time” at home. Whether it’s learning something from YouTube or the family working on something art related together, it would give a safe zone and comfortability for the child to grow their creativity.
As a pro-gamer, an educator for kids 11-17, and an active arts community member, do you think there is value in allowing kids to just “play video games all day”? How can this enhance or hinder creative thinking and personal growth?
I didn’t sign up for the gaming questions! Feel like I’m being fully interrogated, but it’s all fun and games. The truth is kids can learn a ton from video games that have been cited before. Whether it be a game that includes puzzles that they have to problem solve and critically think through, a fast paced war game they have to improve their hand eye coordination and reflexes to become one of the best players, or even them being on an Esports team where you have to break down strategies and ways to outwit your opponents, there is a ton of value in playing video games.
Yet, all good things can be overdone and gaming is on the same paradigm. What I believe is important when it comes to gaming is to make sure the player is engaged in ways that help them grow skills and traits in ways we don’t necessarily accompany with playing video games. Most of the times, we are under the assumption that every game in the world is allowing players to wreak havoc in a virtual world, but there are so many games that truly can help build positive traits and skills.
For example, a lot of children in the current generation are starting to interact with others through creating content through playing their video games. We’ve seen an influx of those who have a harder time with social communication and being themselves express who they truly are through this idea of playing a video game, having fun, and sharing their excitement and experiences with one another. Again, you can point out the negative aspects of what streaming services like YouTube Live or Twitch has caused, but if done accordingly and safely with parental guidance, playing video games and creating content is a form of art and entertainment that can pay dividends you wouldn’t have ever considered.
Tell us a little about mental diversity in the classroom and working with many kids on the spectrum. Are there any techniques you can share with folks here in our community about how to address some of the more challenging aspects of working with these kids? What are the rewards of making a positive impact on these kids and creating a safe space in education for all?
Being in education for close to a decade and a half, I have worked with over five hundred students that were on the spectrum whether it be Aspergers, Autism, or ADHD. When it comes to working with these students, the first thing you have to understand is what disability are they dealing with and how it hinders their ability to learn. This is most important because you are not going to be able to teach something as you have and everything fall into place, but instead you have to put your heart and soul into finding the way you can teach these students that impacts them positively.
Don’t ever give up on these children or students, as they are incredibly talented, bright, and amazing. You give them your full energy and attention when they need help to learn and before you know it, they are helping everybody else in the classroom. So yes, you will need to identify what their disability is impacting and what processes and solutions you can enact to break down that barrier to help them understand. It’s truly enlightening to learn how you show the care to these students by going the extra mile for them and what it means to them. Some of my best students of my career have had multiple disabilities, but you give them the time and they give back the world. At the end of the day, the students I work with are all kids/teenagers, which they need to be shown that no matter the stakes or scenarios ahead of them, can in fact be conquered with a great work ethic, knowing how to adapt material they are learning to understand it more clearly, and how to turn that into the amazing work they dish out for the world to view.
The rewards of creating a positive impact on these kids and creating a safe space in education for everybody is simple; they turn into individuals that show a new found confidence and that not a thing is going to stop them from reaching their goals. They become the winners of society, being able to tackle problem after problem with methodical thoughts that will eventually lead them to solutions. Overall, they are turning into the most respectable people in our community because they were taught that being different or having to learn a different way than most won’t stop them and that there will always be somebody that can help. I’ve seen many of my prior students at this time get the careers they wanted, with some of them emailing me back and jokingly telling me “Mr. Boas, I’m making more than you now”. Yet, that’s usually followed up by a heart felt message that pulls on my heart strings about their time in the classroom and how much they’ve grown up and learned during their time in my room.
Lastly, it is important for us as a community and individuals to accept those on the spectrum, as they are truly some of the most caring and intelligent people you will ever have a conversation with or meet. I can’t express how much it means for these students to be able to show who they truly are and instead of being disciplined for something that isn’t an issue, that they are allowed to have these quirks and feelings in a safe space play out so they can learn and grow from it. Like I said, it’s truly a beautiful thing to see these students grow up and not be afraid of the world as they may have once been.
Lastly, tell us about your 2022 project “Glitch A Day”. It’s very cool and different. Can you also tell us a little about the process of making this series?
Glitch a Day is a project that initially started as a lesson plan for my students to follow along and learn several different effects that we could create in Adobe Photoshop from scratch. Making an image look like it was glitched out was one of the techniques that was on my plan to teach and it became one of the most favorite ones that each of my classes have liked to do.
I figured it was time to bring the special effect to a different approach in story telling. From this, Glitch a Day (also known as Glitch in the System) was created. Whether it was me trying to tell a story of technology failing, an issue in our current world/political environment, or sometimes just random bits of information, all of my work somehow related to something “glitching” and creating interference, issues, or things we can’t comprehend. From water being dropped onto a computer’s motherboard, communications between a space station and it’s pilots being interrupted, the voting procedure and fraudulent activity that some have spoken about, pollution in the environment, and many other topics far and wide going from minor failures to what could be systematic failures, are shown throughout this exhibit. Sometimes you might get something weird, like a birthday cake celebrating when I was born, which initially I was to be named John, but a last minute decision glitched me to the name of Brandon when my parents couldn’t agree on if I should be “The Third”.
When it comes to the process, I start by coming up with a topic I want to dissect whether it be something simple or complex. From there, I would start to think about which photos I would need to showcase the overall rhetoric of the situation through imagery, but also making the idea of it all glitch. By adding photos into Photoshop, I would then duplicate the layers and start to add an effect to the specific layers that would turn off certain color channels on that layer and once moved, would create a layer of color missing from the original image that I could now start to cut out, piece together, and move throughout the overall composition.
From there, I would sometimes add multiple color blend layers together through the effects panel to create more vivid or saturated compositions. There are even times I would grab some texture images and use blending modes to bring the pieces together in harmony, so they feel they are stitched together in the composition. As I went on with this project, you can tell my messages, ideas, and the images got more complex and rather sometimes on the level of absolutely being bombastic. Almost like I’m saying as these things continue to add on to each other, the overall system and things involved are crumbling quicker than we can fix.
It’s truly amazing where how one lesson plan that my students fell in love with has become something bigger than I ever imagined, but I’ve had an amazing time finding an artistic outlet that I’ve ignored for far too long that needs to continue being shown in the future.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Absolutely. My company website is www.grungemuffindesigns.com
Delaware Fun a Day is an amazing organization. Please follow their social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Autism Speaks is a great organization if you would like to donate to help the autism community.
Where can people see more of your work?
Instagram: @jipperymccloud
Facebook, just my name (Brandon S. Boas)