Suburban Buzz
12 Months FreeNews Post
- ARTreach Update 10/07/2009
- Posted: 10/09/2009 08:55 EDT
ARTreach supports Katy ISD and the new Sister Schools Program
This year Katy ISD implemented a new initiative called Sister Schools. This campus partnership concept matches up two schools that aren’t necessarily close to one another geographically, but share the common value and goals of all Katy schools; educating our kids in learning, loving environment.
Sister School relationships are unique and based solely on the needs and personalities of their campuses. For example this year some volunteers from Williams Elementary went to sister school Sundown Elementary to teach Junior Achievement. Creech Elementary volunteers went to Sister School Mayde Creek to assist in science lab days for various grade levels, then Mayde Creek volunteers were invited to Creech’s International Day to get ideas on how to implement the same program at their campus next year. PTA members from Alexander Elementary volunteered for Cimarron’s Elementary Field Day activities and also included Cimarron teachers in their fall book drive allowing them access to free books for the classroom.
As a district partner In education, ARTreach supports the Katy ISD Sister School Program with an arts-in-education matching outreach program. Whenever one school’s PTA brings a Young Audience or other approved cultural arts program or arts in education presentation to their own school, ARTreach will fundraise to match the costs of the presentation for their sister school. Sister schools only need to confirm presentations and complete an ARTreach application for assistance.
www.artreachonline.org
To celebrate the sister schools ARTreach is hosting an ARTparty and Happy Hour at Berryhill on the third Friday, October 16th and November 20th. Sister campuses, teachers and parents are invited to the event to enjoy art, music and great tacos! Berryhill is donating proceeds from the evening to ARTreach to help fund the sister school’s Arts-in-Education Program.
The Sister School ARTparty and Happy Hour is Friday, October 16th 5-8 pm at Berryhill Baja Grill located at the Villagio Town Center in Cinco Ranch.
Children in Katy ISD and Fort Bend ISD are benefitting from early exposure to the arts
Performing Artist and Musician Dan Egger-Belandria recently visited FBISD Pecan Grove Elementary and KISD James Williams Elementary to demonstrate a percussion based workshop supporting Early Childhood Development.
Dan’s workshop, called The Rhythm Journey, introduces drumming techniques to aid in kindergarten readiness, and supports social development, reading and counting skills. The 45-minute workshop helps teachers identify a child’s motor and language skills level and development, as well the student’s ability to interpret and follow instructions. This ARTreach workshop supports early childhood development (ECD) and targets non English speaking in the home, special needs, and/or children of a parent in active military duty, and low income. The program was piloted at both schools to support staff development and Early Childhood Development.
Katy ISD, James Williams Elementary piloted a project for their pre-K students on Wednesday October 7, 2009. This project was made possible through ARTreach support and a $240 financial contribution by the JWE PTA. “This program offers strong reinforcement of language skills and phonemic awareness”, said JWE Pre-K teacher, Alma Jarrell, “the workshop was very helpful, and the kids loved it! We want to thank the JWE PTA for supporting early arts integration and providing this opportunity to our youngest and newest students.”
The FBISD Pecan Grove Elementary workshop was held on September 25th with funding provided in part by a grant from the Fort Bend Junior Service League. Additional funding for ARTreach programs has been provided by the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Houston Endowment, Inc.
Rhythm Journey is available to all schools in Katy ISD and FBISD with ARTreach assistance available to support title one schools and pre-K programs for children at risk.
Visit www.artreachonline.org to learn more about ARTreach Programs in the schools and community.
ARTreach is seeking sponsors for the 2010 Scholarship Program
ARTreach will begin issuing their 2010 Private Studio Scholarships to gifted and talented students in January and is currently seeking sponsors for the program. Pictured is one of last year’s visual art recipients of the award, Aaron Melcher of Katy, with Elizabeth Linder, Terri Bieber, Martha Brown, and Downy Vickery at the ARTreach Gallery Night at Tradition Bank. Below, Michael Guevara of the Cinco Ranch Conservatory of Music is pictured with Luke Stoddard, age 4 the youngest 2009 recipient of a scholarship for violin lessons.
Additional sponsors are needed to support this ARTreach program with over 60 Katy ISD students applying last year for financial assistance and full scholarships to attend private art lessons, more are expected to apply this year.
To excel in the fine arts, AP art, orchestra and band, students are encouraged to take private lessons, and this can be expensive for a family with fees ranging between $120- $325 per month plus instrument, rental and supplies. Private lessons are extremely valuable but not accessible to all students. The ARTreach Scholarship Program provides the financial assistance needed. Sponsors underwrite the costs by contributing $250-$2,500 annually to support the program. ARTreach awards visual art scholarships to high school and junior high school students in Katy and music scholarships to elementary aged children demonstrating a propensity towards music. ARTreach Scholarships are awarded based on interest, artistic merit, and to students considering a career in fine arts or arts education. An ARTreach scholarship provides private studio instruction including portfolio development with ARTreach Studio partner and professional teaching artist Elizabeth Linder and private music instruction at the Cinco Ranch Conservatory of Music. 2010 Applications will be released in January.
New ARTbeat Program is upbeat and artistic
ARTreach is inviting new art volunteers to Katyville Medical Care Center located in downtown Katy to participate in a new program called ARTbeat! This program is upbeat, artistic and energetic; it combines music, art, and dance in a variety of ways to support emotional health, physical well being and enriched quality of life for seniors in assisted living. The program incorporates live music led weekly by Michelle Mitchell of Katy with group art activities facilitated by artist Kelly Dillard.
ARTreach is expanding outreach programs serving individuals in assisted living through community partnerships and art volunteers. ARTreach is training volunteers to assist in teaching art to senior citizens and individuals with Alzheimer’s at this time. Volunteers can sign up to attend training on Mondays 10a.m. Tuesdays 2pm at the ARTreach Studio located at Ceramics by Tess, and alternate Wednesdays at 10 am at Providence Senior Living Center . Please email info@artreachonline.org
Unique fundraiser highlights artists and our eclectic community
Chair-ish the Arts- See the unique chair painted by our heroes at the ARTreach Chair-ish the Arts Exhibition and fundraiser being held Thursday, October 22nd at the Villagio Town Center Community Room/ 6-9 p.m. The event includes fine wine and a “Taste of Villagio”, with frozen margaritas, beer and food catered by Berryhill Baja Grill. The doors open at 6 pm, you will enjoy music composed by Michael Guevara, a silent auction and relaxed gallery exhibition of original work by artists from Katy, Houston, Austin, Los Angeles and Nigeria as well as signature pieces created by our community heroes.
(Photo above is of Mayor Don and Ida Fae Elder painting the Chair-ished work of art, Photo 2 is a painting by Houston artist Elizabeth Bailey, Photo 3 features heroic artists.) The silent auction includes great works of art; pottery, fused glass, and large and small paintings. Silent Auction bids open low and items will go home that evening to the highest bidder. All other original works of art are for sale, and will remain exhibited in the gallery until October 31st. Prices range between starving artist prices of $45- to over $8,000 for museum pieces. It is a very entertaining and eclectic show. Don’t miss it. Come as you are. You can reserve $25 tickets by emailing t.bieber@artreachonline.org
Terri Bieber
Executive Director
ARTreach Non-Profit Arts and Educational Outreach
Office (281) 392-5341
Cell (713) 444-1897
Click here to learn about ARTreach programs, services, gallery, news, and events