From preschoolers exploring creative dramatics to elementary students fashioning mosaics in the style of Niki de Saint Phalle to middle schoolers creating a Mural of the Masters to high school singers getting their musical groove on, ArtSplash grants totaling $8,672 will fund 17 innovative and enriching programs in North County schools in 2012-13. Program recipients include teachers from Carlsbad Unified School District, Encinitas Union School District, San Dieguito Union High School District, San Marcos Unified School District and Vista Unified School District as well as the La Costa Valley Preschool.
To date, ArtSplash, an annual community celebration for arts education taking place this year on Sept. 22-23 in Carlsbad, has contributed more than $29,000 to diverse visual and performing arts and music school programs. As in the past, proceeds from this year's chalk art and entertainment festival will support the ongoing grant program.
ArtSplash Chair Joni Miringoff reports, "This year's crop of recipients is one of our most special. With 30 applications and so many deserving programs, the selection process was particularly challenging. Our grants are modest, primarily in the $400-$700 range, but these amazing educators always find ingenious ways to make the most of every dollar. We love checking back during the year to marvel at the imaginative activities in which students are fully engaged."
Two first-time ArtSplash grant recipients reflect the student-centric enthusiasm and high caliber of teachers who are committed to enriching their students' academic experiences despite the budget shortfalls that continue to plague public school districts.
Washington Middle School Special Education teacher Heather Williams will work with students to plan, prepare and paint a mind-expanding Gestalt Mural. She explains, "The WHOLE is greater than the sum of the parts is a wonderful theme, especially for middle school. It conveys the importance of our RELATEDNESS to each other, to nature, to the environment and to all LIFE. I feel grateful for the grant. My peers and administration are very thrilled with the funding, too. We're all really uplifted," she notes, saying that she always attends ArtSplash.
Valley Middle Band and Orchestra director Amanda Boer, who also attends the festival each year, says the ArtSplash grant was not only welcomed, but desperately needed. She reveals, "This year's program budget was cut drastically by 65 percent. The ArtSplash grant will help sustain activities that the instrumental program requires to develop strong musicians. It will provide reeds for beginning musicians to try two reed instruments plus quality reeds for the instruments they choose. The grant will also provide percussion stick bags for musicians to check-out if they are unable to purchase the required materials."
Boer's summation of ArtSplash support is echoed by other recipients. It is a key reason that the ArtSplash grant program exists. She says, "It is important for students to be able to experience the visual and performing arts without having to worry about having the money for materials. "
This fall, ArtSplash celebrates its tenth anniversary of drawing people together. For more information on the free, family-friendly weekend event, please visit www.facebook.com/carlsbadartsplash or www.CarlsbadArtSplash.org.
Miringoff says that many new features will energize the vibrant blend of arts, music and entertainment offerings, including floral d?cor and cake competitions, Marilyn Monroe artwork created from recycled water bottles and a free Saturday evening concert. She promises, "It's going to be TENtastic!"
2012-13 ArtSplash Grant Recipients:
Carlsbad Unified School District
• Amanda Boer, Valley Middle, Band Accessories ($700)
• Christy Owen, Carlsbad High, Chamber Singers, Encore Sound Express, Lancer Choir ($1,000)
• Jackie Meza, Carlsbad High, Color Guard Supplies ($400)
• Jackie Solomon, Carlsbad High, Xcalibur Nationals Dance Competition ($500)
• Sue DeWulf, Valley Middle, Ceramic Creatures ($700)
Encinitas Union School District
• Pat Keene, Park Dale Lane, Puppet Theatre ($500)
San Dieguito Union High School District
• Carissa Mattison, La Costa Canyon High, Introductory Music for Students with Special Needs ($161.37)
San Marcos Unified School District
• Carrie Downs, San Marcos Elementary, Boomwhackers ($279)
• Cici Groupe, La Costa Meadows Elementary, Orff Music ($500)
• Faith Bird, Richland Elementary, Niki de Saint Phalle Mosaics ($300)
• Michelle Breyer, San Marcos Middle, Georgia O'Keefe Shade Sculptures ($700)
• June York, Woodland Park Middle, Metal Tooling ($481.99)
Vista Unified School District
• Heather Williams, Washington Middle, Gestalt Mural ($300)
• Heidi Madden, Mission Vista High, Young Printmakers Speak ($550)
• Kathy Lally, Roosevelt Middle, Mural of the Masters ($700)
• Ralph Ewell, Vista High, JV Color Guard ($500)
Other
• Joan Ross, La Costa Valley Preschool, Portable Arts Stage ($400)
To date, ArtSplash, an annual community celebration for arts education taking place this year on Sept. 22-23 in Carlsbad, has contributed more than $29,000 to diverse visual and performing arts and music school programs. As in the past, proceeds from this year's chalk art and entertainment festival will support the ongoing grant program.
ArtSplash Chair Joni Miringoff reports, "This year's crop of recipients is one of our most special. With 30 applications and so many deserving programs, the selection process was particularly challenging. Our grants are modest, primarily in the $400-$700 range, but these amazing educators always find ingenious ways to make the most of every dollar. We love checking back during the year to marvel at the imaginative activities in which students are fully engaged."
Two first-time ArtSplash grant recipients reflect the student-centric enthusiasm and high caliber of teachers who are committed to enriching their students' academic experiences despite the budget shortfalls that continue to plague public school districts.
Washington Middle School Special Education teacher Heather Williams will work with students to plan, prepare and paint a mind-expanding Gestalt Mural. She explains, "The WHOLE is greater than the sum of the parts is a wonderful theme, especially for middle school. It conveys the importance of our RELATEDNESS to each other, to nature, to the environment and to all LIFE. I feel grateful for the grant. My peers and administration are very thrilled with the funding, too. We're all really uplifted," she notes, saying that she always attends ArtSplash.
Valley Middle Band and Orchestra director Amanda Boer, who also attends the festival each year, says the ArtSplash grant was not only welcomed, but desperately needed. She reveals, "This year's program budget was cut drastically by 65 percent. The ArtSplash grant will help sustain activities that the instrumental program requires to develop strong musicians. It will provide reeds for beginning musicians to try two reed instruments plus quality reeds for the instruments they choose. The grant will also provide percussion stick bags for musicians to check-out if they are unable to purchase the required materials."
Boer's summation of ArtSplash support is echoed by other recipients. It is a key reason that the ArtSplash grant program exists. She says, "It is important for students to be able to experience the visual and performing arts without having to worry about having the money for materials. "
This fall, ArtSplash celebrates its tenth anniversary of drawing people together. For more information on the free, family-friendly weekend event, please visit www.facebook.com/carlsbadartsplash or www.CarlsbadArtSplash.org.
Miringoff says that many new features will energize the vibrant blend of arts, music and entertainment offerings, including floral d?cor and cake competitions, Marilyn Monroe artwork created from recycled water bottles and a free Saturday evening concert. She promises, "It's going to be TENtastic!"
2012-13 ArtSplash Grant Recipients:
Carlsbad Unified School District
• Amanda Boer, Valley Middle, Band Accessories ($700)
• Christy Owen, Carlsbad High, Chamber Singers, Encore Sound Express, Lancer Choir ($1,000)
• Jackie Meza, Carlsbad High, Color Guard Supplies ($400)
• Jackie Solomon, Carlsbad High, Xcalibur Nationals Dance Competition ($500)
• Sue DeWulf, Valley Middle, Ceramic Creatures ($700)
Encinitas Union School District
• Pat Keene, Park Dale Lane, Puppet Theatre ($500)
San Dieguito Union High School District
• Carissa Mattison, La Costa Canyon High, Introductory Music for Students with Special Needs ($161.37)
San Marcos Unified School District
• Carrie Downs, San Marcos Elementary, Boomwhackers ($279)
• Cici Groupe, La Costa Meadows Elementary, Orff Music ($500)
• Faith Bird, Richland Elementary, Niki de Saint Phalle Mosaics ($300)
• Michelle Breyer, San Marcos Middle, Georgia O'Keefe Shade Sculptures ($700)
• June York, Woodland Park Middle, Metal Tooling ($481.99)
Vista Unified School District
• Heather Williams, Washington Middle, Gestalt Mural ($300)
• Heidi Madden, Mission Vista High, Young Printmakers Speak ($550)
• Kathy Lally, Roosevelt Middle, Mural of the Masters ($700)
• Ralph Ewell, Vista High, JV Color Guard ($500)
Other
• Joan Ross, La Costa Valley Preschool, Portable Arts Stage ($400)