RECOGNITION
On January 30, Springboard to Learning/Young Audiences of St. Louis wished founder of Springboard, Elise R. Schweich, a very happy 100th birthday. Former Springboard teaching artist Helen Gannon, and her daughter Eileen Gannon, a current teaching artist, directed students from St. Louis Irish Arts performing Irish music and dance. Executive Director Barbara Carswell read a proclamation from the Mayor declaring January 30th "Elise "Leesy" Schweich Day" in the city of St. Louis in appreciation of her commitment to St. Louis public school children. Mrs. Schweich founded Springboard to Learning in 1965 with her desire to bring the world into the classroom. (Photo: Leesy Schweich and daughter, Susie Trieman)
IN SCHOOL
YA of Atlanta/Woodruff Arts Center is in its seventh successful season of smART stART, the affiliate's arts-integrated approach to early literacy. Kindergarten teachers from eight Title I metro Atlanta public schools partner with YAWAC teaching artists to design residencies around specific standards for language arts and fine arts.
OUT OF SCHOOL
Think 360 Arts and the Denver District Attorney's Office have partnered to put together a year-long workshop series for non-violent youth offenders in Denver County. In the DA-ARTT program (District Attorney-Acquiring Restitution Through Talent), youth under the jurisdiction of the DA's Office work with four different visual artists in eight-week sessions creating work which they will then learn to market and sell. All proceeds from the sales go to the victims of the youths' crime. 2009 kicked off with photography artist Dona Laurita.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In February, YA of Oregon & SW Washington presented a daylong teacher workshop entitled "The Big Picture: Connecting Eric Carle, Collage & Story" at the Marylhurst University Art Department. Based on the techniques of author and illustrator Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug and 38 other children's books), innovative YA teaching artist Kaaren Pixton will guide teachers in a creative exploration of 'the big picture' of color, collage and story and how they all connect.
