Sedona AZ (May 2 2011)–Art For Kids paintings, drawings, and sculptures are on display at the Sedona Public Library from May 1 through May 15, 2011. There are three large murals, oil pastels, acrylic paintings, fiber-clay sculptures, fused glass, and more. These works of art were created at last years summer art camp, as well as throughout this year, by students from around the Verde Valley in the Art For Kids programs, including outreach programs to help the community.
In conjunction with the Verde Valley Food Coalition and its Art From The Heart program, Art For Kids will also show a special exhibit of oil pastel paintings created by twenty-three Third graders at the Desert Star Community School. Several of these paintings will be made into cards that will be sold to raise money to help support the Verde Valley Food Coalition mission of ending hunger in the Verde Valley.
“With budget cuts and fewer opportunities for artistic experience in public schools, it is more important than ever that we support our children in accessing their connection to nature, and discovering the power of the arts in helping children creatively envision a positive future,” states VVFC Executive Director, Debra Emmanuelle.
Art for Kids Fourth Grade Thai Elephant project
Photos of the murals created for the Verde Valley Humane Society will also be on display, a program for children made possible by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Over twenty children ages 5-17 joined together with artists, Joan Bourque and Zenna MacGregor, to create two murals of animals and nature for the inside lobby and outdoor wall in the courtyard.
This past year, Art For Kids created nineteen umbrellas that were auctioned off at Hillside Sedona to raise money for the children of Haiti and photos of the umbrellas will be on display at the library exhibit. The Umbrella Project raised $8,000.00 that was sent to the Albert Schweitzer Childrens Hospital in Haiti.
“When the children realize that their art will go into something that helps other children in need, I feel their hearts open up and I see their eyes light up and their inspiration and creativity take off in a way that is hard to put into words. They love it!” exclaimed artist MacGregor.
To see the Art For Kids artwork and all of its summer 2010 creations, visit the schools online gallery at www.artforkidssedona.com. For more information on the Verde Valley Food Coalition, contact 928-282-8738 or email to info@verdefood.org. Art For Kids is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose slogan is “Where teaching art is a work of heart.”
Displays will include an Art From The Heart oil pastel created by Skylar Diehl, 3rd grader at Desert Star School and an Art From The Heart oil pastel created by 3rd grader Cody Miller, also of the school. This and other work by young artist Miller is on display at the Sedona Public library until May 15 including Thai Elephant created by Zoe Van Block, 3rd grade. Many more Thai Elephants will be part of the Art For Kids display at the Sedona Public Library exhibit.
Greetings,
The Verde Food Council is proudly adding Desert Star School to its fast-growing list of community partners. Caitlin Flynn, who is supporting VFC in organizing its fall fundraiser, Hungry for Art – Art for the Hungry has been instrumental in opening the door to this and other partnerships in the “Art World”. (The) recent Desert Star art project was for fourth graders to artistically show the significance of their relationship to the Earth/Nature. These oil pastel drawings are now on display at the Sedona Public Library, and I guarantee you, they will “blow your socks off”!
Desert Star has agreed to get parental permission to allow the Verde Food Council to turn this beautifully inspiring art work into note cards that we will sell to raise funding to support sustainable and creative curriculum in local schools that in turn, support children’s connection to Nature.
VFC is also moving forward with a school mentoring/apprenticeship project in sustainability through school gardens and other community garden projects throughout the Verde Valley. If you are interested in supporting any of these programs with your time, energy, expertise or funding, please let me know. There is plenty of room for support!
Don’t forget that the next VFC meeting is on June 10th from 3:30 to 5:30 at the County Building on the corner of 6th and Mingus. Mark this date on your calendars and I will be sending out more information as that date approaches.
Kindest regards,
Debra
Verde Food Council
Debra Emmanuelle, Executive Director
(928) 282-8738
http://www.verdefood.org
I went into M & I bank in West Sedona today and saw great artwork by local Flagstaff high school students and Red Rock High School students from this past weekend. Congratulations to all the entrants and ribbon winners. Good work. It was impressive.