By Leah Dill Blackard
Special to the Daily Sun
The Navarro Council of the Arts, in celebrating 30 years of service to Navarro County, is proud to present the 30th Annual October Arts Festival, “Passport to the World of Art.”
The festival began presentations to students on Monday, and will continue daily through Friday in the Optimist Room at Corsicana’s YMCA.
“PASSPORT to the World of Art” is a five day arts festival designed for third and fourth grade children in Corsicana and Navarro County. The hands-on children’s festival explores how the visual arts are a vital way of communicating ideas and creating relationships between cultures around the world. The goal of this year’s festival’s theme is to appreciate the beauty and aesthetic simplicity of the primitive art of the aborigines of Australia and the paintings of nature in the style of the Chinese people of Asia.
Guest artists Julio Suarez, VET and Janet Reynolds will work with festival participants in hands on experiences in drawing, painting and mixed media. Julio Suarez, a professional visual artist, art educator and festival director, will help children create cartoon-like paper people using markers and illustration techniques. The paper people will be glued onto a paper mural to create a collage filled with children, each representing each festivalgoer.
VET, a professional mixed media artist and art educator (specializing in working with children), will teach the students the art of Australian aborigines in creating bark paintings of stylized animals using authentic colors and pattern designs on brown paper.
Janet Reynolds, a professional visual artist from Dallas, will share her knowledge of painting and nature in teaching the participants how to design beautiful watercolor paintings in the style of the “Flower, Bird and Insect” Chinese paintings. Students will use Chinese bamboo brushes, watercolors and ink.
The goal of “PASSPORT to the World of Art” arts festival is to invite the children to think about how other world cultures with rich pasts in art history still create art today influenced by their ancestors while using modern ideas. It is the hope of this festival to stimulate the festival-goer’s creativity and curiosity and learning more about Australia, China and other countries. Students and teachers will understand that there are similarities of creating art among different cultures and that symbolism and storytelling (e.g. myths and dreams) can be expressed in art when interpreting nature.
For more than 30 years the Arts Council has been celebrating the October Arts Festival with the 3rd and 4th graders of Navarro County. This is a one of a kind residency in that it allows these students to learn and appreciate the visual arts and have hands on projects to take home and enjoy. A full teacher’s packet and study guides are available on our website at www.navarrocouncilofthearts.com under publications.
This year the Arts Council will reach over 1500 students with this festival with the help of local volunteers and donors.
Latest News
Arts Council kicks off 2008 season
- Latest News
-
-
Calling all recruits
The Corsicana Police Department is once again opening the doors for the Citizens Police Academy, with classes starting March 22.
-
Dance hall appeal denied
An appeal to the Corsicana City Council to overturn the denial of a dance hall permit on Roane Road was voted down by the council at its Tuesday meeting.
-
Animals seized near Cayuga
Anderson County sheriff’s authorities say criminal charges could be forthcoming following Friday’s seizure of six horses and four donkeys from property near Cayuga.
-
Super Bowl measles alert issued
Fans who attended Super Bowl Week here may have been exposed to the measles virus as well as fooball festivities.
-
Local Beat for 2/9/12
A listing of meetings and events of interest from throughout Navarro County.
-
Stop! That's what it says ...
A 'Stop' sign replaces the 'Yield' sign at the intersection of Collin Street and North 12th Street.
-
Boehner: Congress to overturn birth control policy
House Speaker John Boehner accused the Obama administration Wednesday of an "unambiguous attack on religious freedom," promising that Congress will reverse a new policy requiring religious schools and hospitals to provide employees with free birth control if the president doesn't.
-
10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.
-
‘That lady welder’
Diane Billingsley first fell in love with metal working as a 7-year-old when her parents took her to see a blacksmith’s shop.
-
Senate map takes spotlight in redistricting case
A single state Senate district is taking the spotlight in the ongoing Texas redistricting clash that has reached even the U.S. Supreme Court.
- More Latest News Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
