May-June 2016 Happenings

MAY-JUN 2016

Art + Summer =

Fun!

ON THE COVER: Enjoy a summer night out with your family at Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ Shakespeare in the Park. Find more family-fun activities in our Summer Family Arts Guide starting on p4.

Photo by © J. David Levy.

Letter from the President Greetings Friends!

Summer is nearly upon us and marks the start of a period of great angst for many parents. What do I do with my kids for three months to keep them learning but still having fun?

With this issue of Happenings, we encourage you to make the arts a significant component of your kids’ summer schedule. The St. Louis region offers a broad and diverse range of art camps (child and adult!) and classes designed to spark creativity and delight people of all ages. And don’t worry – research continues to show that participation in arts activities builds and improves overall academic performance, particularly in math and science. So the arts can actually help prevent that summer “brain drain” in a fun and engaging way. You can find our complete Summer Art Camp guide on pages 6-7.

We’ve also highlighted some of the best performances, exhibits and outings that you can share with your whole family – bring the grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles along, too! Opportunities range from STAGES St. Louis’ adaptation of the Disney’s classic The Aristocats to the MUNY’s production of the Wizard of Oz to the Contemporary Arts Museum’s campy Internet Cat Film Festival. Take a moment to review the summer’s offerings starting on page 4.

This issue also introduces readers to some extraordinary stories of arts education impacting lives throughout our community. Pianos for People is a new organization that has wasted no time in making a huge difference in many young lives by providing actual pianos to deserving homes while also offering classes in their Cherokee Street location. Other organizations, like A&E grantees Bach Society of Saint Louis, Metro Theater and Springboard, continue to inspire young people with innovative programming.

Lastly, A&E – along with thousands of others throughout our community – is mourning the loss of an iconic educator, philanthropist and community volunteer.

Ida Woolfolk Goodwin dedicated her life to making St. Louis a better place to live, work and play. For 35 of her more than 40 years as an educator, counselor, and administrator, Ida served as a Workplace Giving Coordinator for the Arts and Education Council raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support arts education. Many of the programs you read about in today’s issue are beneficiaries of Ida’s generosity. You can read more about her accomplished life on page 20.

Thank you for your own personal support for A&E and the arts in our community. You, too, can take pride in the fantastic stories and impact highlighted here.

Have a wonderful summer and I look forward to seeing you at many of these summer arts outings!

Sincerely,

Cynthia A. Prost President and CEO A&E’s new “Education Challenge” trophy (above) will be awarded to the school district whose 2016 Workplace Giving Campaign has the greatest percentage increase over last year.

For information on how your school or district can participate, contact Dorothy Powell, Development Manager, at 314-289-4000 or Dorothy-P@KeepArtHappening.org.

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6

Art +

Art + Summer: Summer: Summer

Summer Family Arts Camps Guide 2

Access 14 Art + 18 Art + 12 the Arts: Summer: Education:

Know & Go Spring to Calendar Dance

Metro Theater

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT:

Pianos for People

W

alking down Cherokee Street, the storefront for Pianos for People fits in well among the South City neighborhood with its hand-painted signage and brick façade. The baby grand piano in the window is one of a dozen available for the community to use for free. On most days of the week the front room is full of students - sometimes elementary -school aged and other times adults learning piano basics.

The nonprofit operates a pianomatching program in addition to free classes and community events. Since moving to its Cherokee location 18 months ago, the school size has almost doubled, and the organization is considering expanding to a North County satellite location.

Kayia Smith, head teacher and general manager, has been with Pianos for People since its move to Cherokee.

“Piano lessons are pretty expensive, and many people wish they could do that for their kids but just can’t,” Smith explains. “This is allowing us to reach out to a whole new demographic of talented young people that have something to give the world, and we’re helping them develop and grow.”

Smith’s background fully prepared her for Pianos for People. She grew up playing music and continued to play piano for churches after college. She

Kayia Smith playing a student piano.

Pianos for People on Cherokee Street.

owned her own school, New Horizons School of Music, from 2001 to 2009, and taught music in the Riverview Gardens schools. Her mother met one of the founders of Pianos for People who was looking for someone to teach classes and help manage the programs, and encouraged Smith to reach out.

“I really didn’t think it would pan out to be anything,” she says. “I came to find out that what they needed was a perfect fit for all of the experience I had gained running my own business.”

Pianos for People was founded by Tom and Jeanne Townsend; Joe Jackson, the owner of Jackson Pianos; and Pat Eastman, a music professor at Webster University; in honor of the Townsends’ son and Eastman’s longtime student, Alex, who was killed in a car accident in 2010. Alex Townsend was passionate about music, and according to Kayia Smith, “[Pianos for People] wouldn’t have happened without him. Because he lived, Pianos for People was created and is touching people every day.”

Pianos for People began by delivering unwanted pianos to underserved households. Pianos are first inspected to make sure they are in good condition. Any repairs, tuning or refurbishing

needed is done by Jackson Pianos at reduced cost. Recipients are selected on a case-by-case basis considering a variety of factors, including need and the ages of the children.

Since Pianos for People began in 2012, it has delivered over 140 pianos to individuals and community organizations in the St. Louis area. At one point, Pianos for People was delivering an average of one piano per week, but more recently that number has dropped by half due to the increased interest in their free lessons.

The innovative model of Pianos for People is spreading. Smith frequently receives calls asking how the process works and how to establish similar programs elsewhere. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pianos for People spread and branch out to different states,” says Smith.

Smith is excited about what’s ahead for the organization and its students.

“I’m looking forward to a few more years down the road when some of the kids have gone on into the world and they’re able to say ‘My roots started with Pianos for People.’ That will be awesome.”

For more information, visit

pianosforpeople.org 3

ART + SUMMER:

Summer Family Arts Guide

S

ummer is almost here, and there’s no better way to enjoy the beautiful weather and time together with your family than to experience the St. Louis arts scene!

Following is just a selection of many family-friendly events coming up in the next few months:

LAUMEIER SCULPTURE PARK On the first Sunday of each month, Laumeier Sculpture Park offers Walking Tours designed to engage participants in the relationship between art and nature. Visitors get a firsthand look at Laumeier’s permanent exhibits during the roughly one-hour tour guided by a trained Laumeier Docent. Exploring the beautiful park grounds and learning about the magnificent sculptures are great ways for your family to get out and enjoy the weather and the arts all at once. And the best part is, tours are completely free! For those with infant to toddler-aged children, Laumeier also offers a free Stroller Tour of a similar nature the third Thursday of each month.

Laumeier will also offer its new ArtSparks program on June 23, 11 am noon. ArtSparks is designed for parents and children, and is structured to promote the development of cognition, language, motor and social/emotional skills through art projects and play.

CAM’s Internet Cat Video Festival.

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Laumeier Sculpture Park monthly walking tours lead visitors through park grounds.

For information about Laumeier’s summer camp, see page 7.

For information about CAM’s summer camp, see page 7.

For more information, visit

For tickets, reservations and more infor-

laumeiersculpturepark.org.

mation, visit camstl.org.

CAM (CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM) CAM’s family programming offers a playful introduction to the Museum and contemporary art for every age range.

Moms, dads, caregivers and grandparents can bring infants and toddlers to the free 45-minute Stroller Tours from 9-10 am on the first Wednesday of every month (except May) to enjoy the museum’s exhibitions. For those with children ages 2-5, CAM offers free Morning Play Dates that include hands-on art activities and performances, 10-11 am on the first Wednesday of each month (except May).

Active families can hop on their bikes for the Tour de Museum, June 24. Enjoy the outdoors between stops at CAM, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Pulitzer Arts Foundation, Saint Louis Art Museum, and World Chess Hall of Fame, featuring a scavenger hunt at each location.

Don’t miss the fifth year of the touring Internet Cat Video Festival, July 13-16. Tickets are $10-$25 for the wildly popular showcase of purrs and laughs with family-friendly “paws-on” activities.

GRAND CENTER Explore everything that Grand Center has to offer this summer during First Fridays! Every first Friday of the month, museums and galleries in Grand Center are free and open to the public until 9 pm. Discover the remarkable array of visual arts in St. Louis’ premier neighborhood for culture and entertainment.

Participating A&E grantees include CAM, Craft Alliance, the International Photography Hall of Fame, Sheldon Art Galleries and many more.

For more information, visit

firstfridaysgrandcenter.com.

SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL ST. LOUIS Treat your family to free, professional theatre while enjoying a beautiful summer evening at Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ “Shakespeare in the Park.” For its 16th season, the company will put on a stunning production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream featuring renowned New York actress Nancy Anderson as Titiana. Free performances will be held nightly (excluding Tuesdays) at 8 pm, June 3-26 at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. Be sure to catch the

Summer Family Arts Guide (cont.) long, the artists are stunned to find they must all take the stage together.

What results is a mashup of slapstick comedy and profound musical drama – mixing coloratura fireworks with spectacular arias.

For information about Opera Theatre’s summer camp see page 7.

For tickets and more information, visit

opera-stl.org.

Opera Theatre’s Ariadne on Naxos.

pre-performance Green Show at 6:30 pm for family fun and an introduction to the characters and plot.

For information about Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’s summer camp, see page 7.

For more information, visit sfstl.com.

THE MUNY One of the Muny’s most popular shows, The Wizard of Oz, is back for the first time in 10 years from June 12-23. Join Dorothy and her friends as they travel the yellow brick road to the Land of Oz for an evening of enchantment and wonder. This lavish musical is sure to delight the whole family and remind viewers that there really is no place like home - or the Muny!

The following month, Professor Harold Hill, the slickest, slyest con man in the Iowa circuit is headed to St. Louis in The Muny’s production of The Music Man, July 5-11. Come enjoy Meredith Wilson’s iconic score in a show sure to steal you and your family’s hearts.

For tickets and more information, visit muny.org

CIRCUS FLORA Circus Flora celebrates its 30th anniversary with its Big Top Production: Pastime. The magic of baseball is told through the story of the hometown Zephyrs and their struggle to get out of last place. Pastime is a show full of runs and hits, flips and flights, and most importantly lots of laughs. Running June 2 - July 3, Pastime is the perfect opportunity for you and your family to experience one of the most exciting and engaging circuses of our time.

STAGES ST. LOUIS Beginning June 15 and running through July 3, STAGES will perform

the family classic, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and into the whimsical world of Wonderland, where she meets a wide array of extraordinary and unusual characters like the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and the White Rabbit.

Based on Lewis Carol’s classics Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and the Disney film, STAGES’ interpretation of Alice in Wonderland is a performance the whole family will enjoy. Complete your experience by joining STAGES at Dave and Buster’s an hour before each performance for a variety of pre-show activities and games.

For tickets and more information, visit

stagesstlouis.org.

COCA (CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS) COCA invites you and your family to a Taste of COCA: Family Style on August 27. At the event, you will learn about COCA’s full range of offerings, and COCA will also offer sampler dance, theatre, circus and visual art classes for kids and adults and a chance to get in behind the scenes with COCA’s family theatre. Taste of COCA will be hosted by the COCA associate board and is free of charge.

For information about COCA’s summer camps see page 7.

For more information, visit cocastl.org

For tickets and more information, visit

circusflora.org.

OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ (OTSL) 2016 Season is full of exciting and vivid operas, but Ariadne on Naxos, June 5-24, will be sure to entertain the whole family. The wealthiest man in Vienna has hired both divas and clowns to perform two separate shows at the end of a lavish dinner party. When dinner runs

Taste of COCA: Family Style presents samples of the classes COCA offers for kids and adults.

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ART + EDUCATION:

Summer Art Camps

S

ummer is almost here, and St. Louis’s local arts organizations have put together a number of exciting summer camps to keep your child active and engaged in the arts!

OPERA THEATRE ST. LOUIS OPERA CAMP FOR KIDS AGES: GRADES 4-7 DATES: May 31 - June 3, June 13-17 TIMES: 8:30 am-3 pm COST: $140 - $175 Campers spend a week singing, dancing, writing words and music, making instruments, and learning about costumes and makeup, lighting, and set design – all the things that go into Opera Theatre’s internationally acclaimed productions! They’ll tour backstage, work with OTSL professionals and leading music educators and see a performance of Puccini’s La bohème.

For more information visit opera-stl.org

STAGES ST. LOUIS PEFORMING ARTS ACADEMY SUMMER DAY CAMPS AGES: 3-5, kindergarten-1st grade, 2nd-4th grades, 5th-8th grades, teens DATES: one-week and two-week sessions, June 6 - August 5 TIMES: 9 am-noon, 1-4 pm, 9 am-3 pm COST: $155-$295 per session STAGES offers fun and active acting and musical theatre camps to keep your student active and engaged during the summer. Half-day sessions for children up to first grade include

Craft Alliance campers making glass beads.

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Children learning silkscreen printing at CAM’s 2015 summer art program.

topics like Jedi Masters and Princess Power. Half- and full-day sessions for children 2nd through 8th grades feature acting, dance and singing activities. The two-week teen workshops offer intensive focus on acting, dancing and musical theatre skills.

ACCESS THE ARTS WORKSHOP AGES: 8+ DATES: June 13 - July1 TIMES: 1-4 pm COST: $250 per session This unique program is designed to make the beauty of the musical theatre arts accessible to all and has been specially created for campers with physical, cognitive, or developmental delays. Join STAGES Performing Arts Academy for a theatre program designed for youths with special needs which will culminate in a full-scale production!

For more information visit stagesstlouis.org.

CRAFT ALLIANCE CENTER OF ART + DESIGN STAENBERG SUMMER KIDS’ CAMP AGES: 4-6, 7-9, 10-14 DATES: one-week sessions, June 6 - August 12 TIMES: 9 am-noon, 12:45-3:45 pm COST: $180 per half-day session, $259 per full-day session Campers will have the opportunity to explore techniques in clay, glass, graph-

ics, metals, textiles, wearable arts and more. Just a few of the camps being offered are Prints Charming, Spinning Mud, City-Scapes and The Thrifty Stitch. Campers can enroll in two camps at once, allowing them to stay at Craft Alliance all day with lunch supervision, with aftercare available if necessary.

Scholarships are available and discounts are offered to Craft Alliance members.

STAENBERG SUMMER TEEN CAMP AGES: 14-18 DATES: one-week sessions, June 6 - August 12 TIME: 4-5:45 pm COST: $123 per one-week session Craft Alliance’s late afternoon Teen Camp will focus on techniques in metal, glass and clay. Included in this program are On the Wheel, Glass Mosaics and Torch Flamed Glass. Teens have the opportunity to earn tuition credits by working as an intern at Craft Alliance’s Kids’ Camp.

Scholarships are available and discounts are offered to Craft Alliance members.

For more information visit craftalliance.org.

SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL ST. LOUIS CAMP SHAKESPEARE AGES: 11-14, 15-18 DATES: June 6-24, July 11-29

Summer Art Camps (cont.)

TIMES: 9 am-3 pm COST: $510 per session, $970 for both Led by experienced Shakespeare Festival Teaching Artists, Camp Shakespeare includes training in voice, movement, stage combat and physical comedy. Students interested in what goes on behind-the-scenes also have the opportunity to enroll in a technical track focusing on the techniques of production and design. Session 1 features Love’s Labour’s Lost and Henry VI. Session 2 features The Tempest and Coriolanus. Family and friends are invited to attend a final performance in the last week of the camp.

A 10% discount is offered to Shakespeare Festival Members.

SUMMER TEEN ARTS INTENSIVES AGES: 14-18 DATES: one-week sessions, June 6-17 TIMES: 9 am-3 pm COST: $310 per session, $550 for 2 COCA is offering five Summer Teen Arts Intensives where teens will have the chance to work with COCA’s professional teaching artists, collaborate with peers and refine their skills. Offerings include: Ballet and Contemporary Dance Intensive with Hedwig Dances; Acting Audition Intensive; Musical Theatre Audition Intensive; Voice Intensive I; and Voice Intensive II.

LAUMEIER SCULPTURE PARK

For more information visit sfstl.com.

COCA (CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS) SUMMER ARTS CAMPS AGES: 3-5, 4-5, 6-7, 8-10, 11-13, 12-18, 14-18 DATES: one-week sessions, June 6 - August 19 TIMES: 9-11:45 am, 12:15-3 pm, full-day COST: $112-$250 per session COCA offers a variety of camps for ages 3-18 that provide young artists with the opportunity to express themselves in various disciplines including dance, drama, poetry, sculpture, songwriting, videography and much more!

The University City sessions run June 6-August 19, and the Whitfield School sessions run June 13-August 5.

For more information visit cocastl.org.

SUMMER ART CAMP AGES: 4-6 (half-day), 6-15 (full-day) DATES: one-week sessions, June 13 - July 29 TIMES: 9 am-12 pm, 9 am-3 pm COST: $120 per half-day session, $200 per full-day session Laumeier’s Summer Art Camp enables students to learn about artists through history, explore Laumeier’s woodland trails and find inspiration in the artworks on view in the park. Each camp also features a unique theme.

Among the classes being offered are: Flashback to the Future; Art Comes Naturally!; Fantasy Factory; and Whirled Around the World.

For more information visit

laumeiersculpturepark.org.

CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM

Metro Theater campers.

SUMMER ART PROGRAM AGES: 9-13 DATES: July 25-28 TIMES: 9-11:30 am, 12:30-3 pm COST: $125 per half-day session, $230 per full-day session The Contemporary Art Museum’s (CAM) summer art program is comprised of two exciting half-day camps: Stop Motion Madness (morning session) and Crazy Comics (afternoon session).

Stop-Motion Madness guides students through the production of a stopmotion animation video short including

COCA campers on stage.

instruction in animation collages, live action filming and claymation.

Young artists enrolled in the Crazy Comics Class will invent characters, create illustrations and learn to tell a visual story as they craft a comic book from start to finish.

For more information visit camstl.org.

METRO THEATER COMPANY CREATIVE ARTS CAMP AGES: 4-11 DATES: August 1-5, August 8-12 TIMES: 9 am-3 pm COST: $250 per session Metro Theater Company invites children ages 4-11 to enjoy fun-filled days exploring drama, visual art, creative movement and music with professional teaching artists. Each Friday afternoon, young artists delight friends and family by sharing highlights of their experience with no performance pressure.

SUMMER AT SLU: GRAND THEATER CAMP AGES: high school students DATES: June 20 - July 1 TIMES: 9 am-5 pm COST: $575 per session Metro Theater Company partners with Saint Louis University for the Summer at SLU: Grand Theater Camp.

High school students are invited to explore advanced acting, auditioning and movement techniques as well as playwriting, stage combat and makeup with professional theater artists in Grand Center. Also included are tours of The Fabulous Fox Theatre and Metro Theater Company. Family and friends can enjoy a performance by the students at the conclusion of the program.

For more information visit metroplays.org.

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MARITZ FUND FOR TEACHERS SPOTLIGHT:

Arrowpoint Elementary School “Couplets and Clay”

O

n March 16, the fifth grade students of Arrowpoint Elementary School lined up in the school gymnasium behind long tables displaying their pottery, each piece engraved with two lines of poetry. The event was the final exhibition of a project called “Couplets and Clay,” funded by the Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers, administered by the Arts and Education Council.

The project was inspired by Dave the Potter, one of the most talented 19th century American potters and a South Carolina slave. Dave spent most of his life in the pottery factories and studios of the area. His vessels were large, some able to hold more than 40 galStudents share their poetry and pottery with family and friends at the pottery exhibition. lons, with finely crafted handles and lip details. His most notable vessels, experience.” in their lives. Coming to school somethough, were those with his poems Another student, Markel Taylor, says times isn’t the biggest part of the day. written into the sides. At that time it “Having the opportunity to have she enjoyed the whole process and was illegal for slaves to write, so each their own art exhibit and create pottery, would keep working on her poetry. “It piece inscribed with a poem and his which most of them haven’t done, and was so awesome. I hadn’t done anysignature was a connect all of that thing like this before, and I thank the record of his defiance with a person who people who let us do it and participated “The kids learned so much. Their in the face of oppreshad struggles in his with us.” poetry was very telling. Some of Arrowpoint Elementary School is a grant sion. life was a connection them connected so much with recipient of A&E’s Maritz Arts and Education The Arrowpoint we thought would be Dave and his life as a slave, and Fund for Teachers. For information about students learned so important,” she what we really wanted them to the school visit hazelwoodschools.org. For about Dave by readunderstand was his persevercontinues. “And in more information about A&E’s Maritz Arts ance through it all, and that they ing Laban Carrick doing this, a lot of and Education Fund for Teachers visit will have obstacles through their Hill’s book, Dave the the students you KeepArtHappening.org. life, but that they too can persePotter. Nichol would never have vere.”

Skolowski, Arrowpictured writing a -Nichol Skolowski, point’s librarian, and poem brought words Arrowpoint Elementary librarian Selection of Patti Hornberger, the from their heart and Students’ Couplets school’s art teacher, put a lot of effort into led students through research and distheir poetry and their art.”

I made this jar from my soul; cussion of Dave’s life, followed by creat- The students’ excitement was infecbut you can use it as a bowl.

-Ja’Lynn Evans ing small pots inscribed with the stutious as they stood behind their artdents’ own poetry. work talking to members of the crowd.

I made this pot with a smile, During the exhibition, students took Many said they hadn’t had the chance Hope you leave with one for a while. the stage to read each of their couplets to work with clay or write much poetry -Layla Pace to the crowd of family and friends. before, but were excited about continuI made this jar full of love; Hornberger was thrilled to see the stuing. so Dave can see it from up above. dents, some of whom started the proj One of the young artists, Mareiona -Jalynn Hayes ect unsure of their skills, proudly read Goodlow, was a poet and singer before I made this pot with my bare hands, their poetry. the project, but thought the clay was a to share this with my family and friends.

“We’re trying to reach students that challenge. “Working with clay was hard -Bryce Evans learn on different levels,” she explains. to do,” she explains. “If it was too thin, it “We have a wide range of students won’t work, but if you used too much here, and a lot of them have challenges then it would harden up. It was a fun 8

PNC PROJECT GRANT SPOTLIGHT:

Bach Society’s “Giving Bach” Program

D

anielle Boulanger and Elizabeth Grossman are the very first students to participate in the Bach

Society of Saint Louis’ “Giving BACH to

Saint Louis Youth” Program.

The program, supported by a 2015 A&E PNC Project Grant, is a mentorship and scholarship program for high school students who have a desire to pursue a career in music. In addition to a $500 college scholarship, Boulanger and Grossman will be given behind-thescenes access to private dress rehearsals; free tickets to Bach Society concerts; and will be able to meet and shadow Bach Society orchestra members, out-of-town soloists, Young Artists and the conductor.

“Giving BACH to Saint Louis Youth gives high school students unique opportunities and direct access to some of the finest musicians and the most established choral organization in the St. Louis area,” comments Melissa Payton, executive director of the Bach Society. “By observing and shadowing an array of musicians (singers, instrumentalists, conductors and composers) students gain valuable insight into the joys and realistic challenges of a career in the field.”

Boulanger and Grossman are both singers and as part of the program they

Grossman during a voice lesson.

Youth Scholars Danielle Boulanger (left) and Elizabeth Grossman (right) at the January Young Artists Recital.

are receiving private voice lessons. It is that and experience a rarely seen part this individual attention that makes the of a professional ensemble.”

Both students also program so special for say that the program them. “My favorite part “Seeing how real people have made a career of has strengthened their of the Giving BACH music has really given me interest in continuing in scholarship program is more enthusiasm, and I music. “My involvement the one-on-one mentolook forward to pursuing in the program has defiring I get from the this area of study next nitely influenced and members of the Bach year.” reinforced my decision Society,” comments -Elizabeth Grossman, to study music in colBoulanger. “I’ve had Giving BACH Youth Scholar lege. I feel that my parvoice lessons and have ticipation has contribreceived helpful techuted to a solid foundation that I hope to nique pointers from experienced musibuild upon while at university,” states cians. I’m especially excited for my first Grossman. conducting lesson, because I haven’t It is exactly this enthusiasm for music had an opportunity like that yet.”

Grossman agrees, “As a high school that is the purpose of the program, student, I’m so excited by the opportuaccording to Payton. “While it is the nity to learn about music and voice at Bach Society’s dream to inspire budsuch a detailed, individualized level.” ding young musicians and ignite a pas Seeing the details that go into every sion within them through this program, performance is another benefit of the it is quite possible that some will program. “This program has given me a choose a different career path after its deeper understanding of how a profescompletion,” she says. “Either way, it is sional ensemble such as the Bach the desire of the Bach Society to mold Society functions,” explains Grossman. students into life-long lovers of classical “There’s so much that goes into a permusic.”

The Bach Society of Saint Louis is a 2015 formance that’s unseen by the audiA&E PNC Grant recipient. To learn more visit ence, especially for such a high-level bachsociety.org. chorus, and I am so grateful to witness 9

ART + EDUCATION:

T

eaching Shakespeare can be a daunting challenge for even the most experienced educator, but it is a challenge that Shakespeare Festival St. Louis (an A&E grant recipient) takes up with enthusiasm.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ award-winning Education Tour visits more than 100 schools throughout Missouri each year, performing 50-minute versions of Shakespeare’s most famous plays and has reached a total of 288,000 students in the 16 years since the organization was founded.

“What’s great about theater for kids is that we create an experience through our actors. Young people can watch the shows and they get to understand what they are reading,” says Rick Dildine, Artistic and Executive Director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis on the Educational Tour. “Shakespeare didn’t write plays to be read; he wrote them to Shakespeare Festival and St. Louis Symphony performing Found at Sea. be performed. We get to take what they are reading in English [class] and To celebrate the 400th anniversary past February and as a special preview bring it to life.” of the Bard’s death, this year in the 2016 Education Tour, Found at In 2016, the Education Tour perShakespeare Festival St. Louis teamed Sea tells the story of a young girl dealformed Hamlet and A Midsummer up with the St. Louis Symphony (an ing with her parents’ divorce, demonNight’s Dream for approximately A&E Grant recipient) to put on a unique strating to young audiences how the 10,000 students at various schools. In performance of an original play. themes found in Shakespeare’s plays addition to the performances, “The St. Louis Symphony was still resonate today.

Shakespeare Festival provides teachers impressed with how we have been able Studies have shown that theater parwith workshop and study materials that to do a lot of different things with a ticipation encourages social tolerance, support Missouri’s Common Core stansubject matter that can often come and this is one of the things that Dildine dards. across as very predictable and staid. believes is one of the biggest benefits “One of things that we do is look at They challenged us to try something of Shakespeare Festival’s Educational what different grades different—they Tour. “We have a very diverse cast – “The thing that I’m most proud are studying and we wanted to put the racially and gender wise. We have a of when I see this is that we’re try to match up plays orchestra on stage young woman playing Hamlet.” showing an example to young to what they are doing Dildine continues, “I think a lot of with a live [theater] people that they can try differin class,” explains people think Shakespeare is academic performance,” ent things. They can see things Dildine. “We made a or unapproachable. They think ‘I can’t explains Dildine. from a different lens. They can commitment to focus understand it,’ ‘It’s a different language,’ “Our playwright in try new ideas; and they can on five big or ‘It’s not for me;’ and one of things residence set out to see that there are opportuniShakespeare plays that that we try to do with our arts prodo that with them, ties for everyone in the arts.” teachers use in their gramming is to reflect the community and what came out of -Rick Dildine, classroom – Julius that we are performing for – we want that was an original Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Caesar, Romeo and people to see themselves in our work. I play called Found at Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, hope what young people take away Sea, an adaption of Shakespeare’s ’the Scottish play’ Macbeth and Hamlet. [from our plays] is that the arts are for Pericles told through the eyes of a We’re listening to teachers, principals them.” father and a daughter late one night Shakespeare Festival St. Louis is an A&E and superintendents and making sure during a storm.” grant recipient. For more information visit that we’re providing programs that Performed as part of the St. Louis sfstl.com. match what they are actually teaching.“ Symphony’s Family Concert Series this 10

Carmody Creative Photography

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Education Tour

ART + EDUCATION:

Ellie Balk, Springboard

T

eaching artist Ellie Balk’s work centers on mathematics and data visualization. As a leader in the field of arts education, she focuses her work on curriculum-integrated school beautification projects. She has worked with more than 3,500 students in 40 schools and institutions across the nation, and pursues independent projects through numerous grants and partnerships with community organizations.

When Balk moved back to her hometown of St. Louis from New York in 2014, she knew she wanted to continue creating public art through core curriculum with a focus on mathematics.

When she learned that Springboard (an A&E grant recipient) offers partnerships to artists who specialize in creative ways to teach the arts, sciences and/or humanities, she quickly got involved.

Currently, Balk is working with students at two St. Louis Public Schools in partnership with Springboard. At Ford Elementary School in North St. Louis, she is working with sixth graders on a legacy project for Springboard to use in its upcoming 50th anniversary celebration. The project is based on influential African-Americans with St. Louis connections.

“We’re doing a reverse glass painting

Balk reviewing color theory with students.

Ellie Balk teaching at Ford Elementary School.

technique that I learned from a West paint them.”

Balk explains that this project comAfrican artist,” explains Balk. “In reverse plements the students’ learning about glass painting you have to think backgeometry and properties of angles. wards.

“I taught them a “We’re using the little about light and drawings to help “I’m really passionate about bringshadow and color teach the math,” ing students outside school and into the community to do public theory - how to she adds. art,” said Balk. “I work a lot on make [the color] Balk is continuCherokee Street and it is a tricky brown. It’s not easy. ing her work as a neighborhood. I think one way the I challenged them to community orgaproblems could be addressed is make different nizer here through a with the kids’ voices. If we could shades of brown, to partnership with the help them create a public mural essentially make Cherokee Street and be part of the process, then we their own skin color, Development could have a starting point. Right which is very diffiLeague. She now these kids might not feel like cult and they really believes getting they have a voice in this growing got it. They knew if young people community.” it was too red, involved with public -Ellie Balk, they’d have to add a art and beautificaSpringboard little bit of green, or tion projects in their too blue, to add a communities is key little orange. It was really cool.” to empowering them.

At the city’s Carnahan High School, Balk’s mural and public artwork can she is working with math classes in be seen on her website: elliebalk.com. algebra and geometry, focusing on perMost projects on the site have been spective. created with high school students “They are creating compositions through partnerships with a school.

Springboard is an A&E grant recipient. using two-point perspective,” she says.

For more information, visit “We’re at the stage now where we’ve springboardstl.org. drawn compositions on the board and we will cut the boards out and then 11

OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS La bohème WHEN: May 21 - Jun 25; varying times WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Theatre 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves

MAY-JUN 2016 O N G O I N G D I S CO U N T S W IT H T HE AR TS C A R D

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY The Planets WHEN: May 6 & 8; Fri, 8 pm; Sun, 3 pm

JAZZ AT THE BISTRO

WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis

Offers 2-for-1 admission to most 9:30 pm shows Wed-Thur. For details call 314.571.6000 or go to jazzstl.org

M AY E V E NTS

COST: $25-$111

WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis COST: $25-$111 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for Sun, Mar 1 performance only (excludes box seats) St. Louis Symphony timpanist Shannon Wood steps forward to perform William Kraft’s unique Timpani Concerto No. 2, The Grand Encounter, a distinctive piece rarely heard in concert. Named for its length at the time of composition and overwhelming beauty, Schubert’s triumphant and innovative Symphony No. 9 is sure to captivate you through the last jubilant note. 314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org

CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM Great Rivers Biennial WHEN: May 6 - Aug 14; Wed, 10 am-5 pm, Thur-Fri, 10 am-8 pm, Sat-Sun, 10 am-5 pm

NEW JEWISH THEATRE Yentl WHEN: May 12 - Jun 5; Wed-Thur, 7:30 pm; Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 2 & (May 15 & 22) 7:30 pm WHERE: Wool Studio Theatre, 2 Millstone Campus Dr., Creve Coeur COST: $39.50-$43.50

SHELDON CONCERT HALL Alarm Will Sound

WHEN: May 26; Thur, 8 pm WHERE: Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Boulevard, St. Louis

St. Louis-based artists Lyndon Barrois Jr., Nanette Boileau and Tate Foley were selected by a panel of judges from more than 80 submissions for The Great Rivers Biennial Arts Award Program. This initiative between CAM and Gateway Foundation identifies talented emerging and mid-career artists working in the greater metropolitan area, providing them with an honorarium and exhibition at CAM. 314.535.4660 or camstl.org

Classical

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card on full price tickets only. Present the card in advance at the Fox Theatre Box Office at 531 N. Grand or night of show at The Sheldon Box Office between 7-8 pm.

The ensemble performs the newest music being composed today with energetic virtuosity and a sense of adventure, creating programs that span a range of styles. 314.533.9900 or thesheldon.org

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card (discount not available online) Based on the Isaac Singer short story, a young girl in 19th-century Eastern Europe forbidden to pursue her dream of studying Talmud disguises herself as a man. But when she falls in love, Yentl must decide how far she’ll go to protect her identity. 314.442.3283 or newjewishtheatre.org

OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS Macbeth WHEN: May 28 - Jun 26, varying times WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Theatre 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves COST: $25-$129

ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL CONCERTS Cathedra WHEN: May 13; Fri, 8 pm

COST: free

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WHERE: Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis COST: $19-24

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for performances on May 28, June 1, 10 and 16.

Offer valid in Sections II and III only, subject Jerry Naunheim

WHERE: Contemporary Art Museum 3750 Washington Blvd., St. Louis

Cinema

Set to irresistible music, Puccini’s La bohème has gripped audiences for over a century. Rodolfo and his friends scrape by as bohemian artists, using their wit and charm to escape life’s harsher consequences. Rodolfo is changed by love when he encounters a beautiful dressmaker, Mimì.

314.961.0644 or opera-stl.org

COST: $20

WHEN: May 1; Sun, 3 pm

Events Key

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for performances on May 25, 27, June 2, 4 (1pm), and 8. Offer valid in Sections II and III only, subject to availability, limited to two tickets per ARTS Card holder and two operas per season.

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for Fri, May 6 and Sun, May 8 performances only (excludes box seats) David Robertson concludes the season with Holst’s most iconic work, The Planets. Composed to tell the story of the solar system, Holst’s imaginative piece is used throughout pop culture and is widely recognized. 314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY Schubert “Great”

COST: $25-$129

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card Specializing in music of both the Renaissance and Baroque and a champion of the modern-day composer, Cathedra is a skilled ensemble of professional singers and instrumentalists dedicated to the highest form of musical expression from across the ages. 314.533.7662 or cathedralconcerts.org

Dance

Jazz

Music

2002 Shakespeare St. Louis performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Speaker

Theater

Visual Arts

to availability, limited to two tickets per ARTS Card holder and two operas per season.

OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS Shalimar the Clown

A thriller from start to finish: from the eerie prophecies of witches, to Lady Macbeth’s arresting sleepwalking scene, to the chilling and bloody finale. Experience Shakespeare’s tale of ruthless ambition and murder as a classic Verdi masterwork, set to some of the most magnificent music in all of opera. 314.961.0644 or opera-stl.org

J UN E E V E NTS CIRCUS FLORA Pastime WHEN: Jun 2 - Jul 3; Fri & Sat, 1 & 7 pm; Sun 1 & 5:30 pm; Tues & Thurs 7 pm; Wed, 10:30 am (1 hour performances) & 7 pm WHERE: Big Tent in Grand Center, in the parking lot adjacent to Powell Hall, St. Louis COST: $10-$48 DISCOUNT: $5 off admission Sat-Sun with ARTS Card

WHEN: Jun 11-25, varying times WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Theatre 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves COST: $25-$129

Circus Flora’s Nino the Clown.

WEBSTER ARTS Webster Arts Fair WHEN: Jun 3-5; Fri 6-10 pm, Sat, 11 am-9 pm, Sun, 11 am-5 pm WHERE: 475 Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves COST: free The 13th annual Webster Arts Fair showcases artists from more than 20 states while offering food, performances and unique creative activities for the whole family. 314.968.6500 or webster-arts.org

St. Louis’s own Circus Flora will bring the nostalgia of baseball to life under the Big Top. 314.289.4040 or circusflora.org

STAGES ST. LOUIS It Shoulda Been You

OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS Ariadne on Naxos WHEN: Jun 5-24, varying times WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Theatre 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves

WHERE: The Robert G. Reim Theatre 111 S. Geyer Rd., Kirkwood

COST: $25-$129

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admissions with ARTS Card for Tues-Thur evening performances ($62 level) Who doesn’t love a wedding? Especially one that includes a beautiful blushing bride, her uninvited boyfriend, a groom with a secret and a sister with a hidden agenda. This modern romantic comedy has surprising twists in an unforgettable wedding. 314.821.2407 or stagesstlouis.org

SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL ST. LOUIS A Midsummer Night’s Dream WHEN: Jun 3-26; Wed-Mon, 8 pm, pre-performances at 6:30 pm WHERE: Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park COST: Free Last seen at the Festival in 2002, “Midsummer” will feature a diverse cast of actors portraying some of Shakespeare’s most beloved characters.

Directed by Artistic and Executive Director Rick Dildine. 314.531.9800 or sfstl.com

Shalimar and Boonyi grow up in a pastoral Kashmiri village as acrobats and dancers in a traditional folk theater, and their youthful romance culminates in a joyful wedding. But when the new American ambassador meets Boonyi he seduces her with the promise of a new life, sending Shalimar down a dangerous path of revenge.

314.961.0644 or opera-stl.org

GATEWAY MEN’S CHORUS Big Gay Sing!

WHEN: June 17-18; Fri-Sat, 8 pm

WHEN: Jun 3 - Jul 3; Tues-Sun, matinée and evening performances

COST: $20-$62

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for June 15, 17 and 25 (1 pm) performances only, valid in Sections II and III only, limited to two tickets per ARTS Card holder and two operas per season .

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for performances on June 9, 11 (1pm), and 22. Offer valid in Sections II and III only, subject to availability, limited to two tickets per ARTS Card holder and two operas per season.

The wealthiest man in Vienna has hired divas and clowns to perform two separate shows at the end of a lavish dinner party. When dinner runs long, the artists are stunned to find they must all take the stage together. A mashup of slapstick comedy and profound musical drama results, mixing coloratura fireworks with spectacular arias. 314.961.0644 or opera-stl.org

WHERE: Edison Theatre, Washington University 6465 Forsyth Blvd.

COST: $25, $15 for students and seniors DISCOUNT: $5 off ticket price This raucous musical revue gives homage to the divas that shaped our love of music and gave us the courage to be a proud men’s chorus. The show features comrades in song, CHARIS, the St. Louis Women’s Chorus, as well as special Master of Ceremonies, Amy Armstrong, for a two-night party that will have you singing along from your seat.

314-287-5669 or gmcstl.org

OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS Center Stage Showcase WHEN: Jun 21; Tues, 8 pm WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Theatre 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves COST: $25-$129

INNSBROOK INSTITUTE Summer Music Festival

WHEN: Jun 10-18; Tues-Sun, 7:30 pm WHERE: Innsbrook Institute, 1 Aspen Lake Circle Dr., Innsbrook, Mo COST: $30 reserved, $25 general admission DISCOUNT: 2-for 1 admission with ARTS Card, Call for discount at 636.928.3366, ext. 9218 Artists include Director and Concertmaster David Halen; violinists Blake Pouliot and Liz Lee; Calidore String Quartet; Bach Society Chorus; celloists Chee Yun, Nathan Cha, Zlatomir Fung and Sarina Zhang, and pianists Peter Martin and Hsin-I Huang.

636.928.3366 ext. 218 or innsbrookinstitute.org

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card valid in Sections II and III only, limited to two tickets per ARTS Card holder and two operas per season.

Center Stage is back to showcase our talented 2016 Gerdine Young Artists and Richard Gaddes Festival Artists. Over 1,000 young artists applied from across the nation, but only 38 of the finest singers were chosen to be a part of this season.

Usually seen in ensemble roles during mainstage productions, these talented singers take center stage in a one-night-only concert, accompanied by members of the St. Louis Symphony.

314.961.0644 or opera-stl.org

13

ART + SUMMER:

Dance St. Louis’ Spring to Dance Festival

T

he ninth annual Spring to Dance festival, taking place May 27-29 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, will showcase 30 nationallytouring dance companies. The performances will range from ballet to hiphop, offering something for every interest and giving audiences a chance to see some of the country’s top dancers in myriad styles.

Dance St. Louis (an A&E grant recipient and former tenant in A&E’s Centene Center for the Arts) is the presenter of the festival. When first established, Spring to Dance featured dancers, choreographers and companies from the Midwest. Since then, Spring to Dance has featured 240 professional performances by more than 125 dance companies, representing over 2,500 dancers from 21 states and 4 countries.

The Spring to Dance Festival has become a fixture of Dance St. Louis.

The Festival gives opportunities for local dance companies to grow tremendously and also features new choreographers and new companies on the verge of becoming known.

One growing aspect of this year’s festival is the “Young Choreographer’s Project,” a program now in its second

Afriky Lolo.

14

year that pairs choreography students from Webster University with professional dance companies. This year’s program includes pieces by Lindsay Hawkins, performed by Common Thread Contemporary Dance Company; Audrey Simes, performed by Big Muddy Dance Company; and Hanna Bricston, performed by MADCO. A new ballet also combines three original solo pieces

by Tayia Deria, Tyra Kopf and Cheyenne Pillips.

Erin Warner Prange, executive director and dancer at the Big Muddy Dance Company, is excited about their Young Choreographer performance. “Because Dance St. Louis is the one to choose which choreographer goes with which company, the matches don’t necessarily look like what they otherwise would,” she explains. “They’re trying to get Aerial Dance Chicago. everybody to think outside the box in Afriky Lolo, looks forward to the opporterms of style and what they’re used to tunities and connections created for the and push the envelope, so it expands all dancers by bringing such a variety of of us.” companies from across the country In addition to their Young together for one weekend.

Choreographer piece, the Big Muddy “The audience memDance Company will be “The diversity of the perforbers see the diversity performing Diphthongs, mances, and not just the on stage, and back choreographed by types of dance but the techstage we see that too Artistic Director Brian nique and different people and ask each other Enos. who come together, bringing questions about tech Prange sees the festheir culture - it’s just amaznique and costume,” tival as a great first ing. Even backstage when says Bathily. experience for those we’re together, it isn’t just The wide range of unfamiliar with different artists, it’s more like family.” genres creates a weekgenres of dance.

-Diadie Bathily end of dance unlike any “Giving the general Afriky Lolo Artistic Director other in St. Louis. audience a menu of all Audience members the different types of who prefer traditional dance forms will dance and the companies that are out enjoy performances from Ballet there, and enabling them to see such a Memphis, named a “national treasure” variety of work for such a low price, is a by the Ford Foundation; Chicago Tap great way to broaden the [dance] audiTheatre; Giordano Dance Chicago, one ence in St. Louis and get some people of the country’s first jazz companies; who might not otherwise come,” she among many others. says.

Those drawn to contemporary and Big Muddy is one of five local commodern dance also have plenty of perpanies involved in the festival. MADCO formances to choose from. MADCO, the (an A&E grant recipient), St. Louis Big Muddy Dance Company and Ballet, Afriky Lolo and Common Thread Common Thread Contemporary Dance Contemporary Dance Company will also perform.

Diadie Bathily, artistic director of

Facing page: Big Muddy Dance Company.

Spring to Dance (cont.)

Company represent the St. Louis selection, each with their own unique style and repertoire. Notable out-of-town performances include the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Eisenhower Dance (Southfield, MI), METdance (Houston, TX) and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company (New York, NY).

Some performances during the weekend are more unique. The Dancing Wheels Company (Cleveland, OH), performing Saturday, was founded by Mary Verdi-Fletcher, the first professional wheelchair dancer in the U.S. The company includes dancers both with and without disabilities, and is considered one of the premier arts and disabilities organizations in the country.

The 2016 Spring to Dance is an

amazing opportunity to see a wide range of nationally touring professional dance companies in one place. The festival creates a welcoming and exciting weekend of performances for seasoned dance fans, first-time attendees and professional dancers alike.

Tickets are available for the Lee Theater performances, the main stage performances, or as a package through the Touhill Performing Arts Center box office at touhill.org.

Dance St. Louis is an A&E grant recipient.

For more information about Dance St. Louis or the Spring to Dance Festival and participating dance companies, visit dancestl.org.

Spring to Dance Lineup Aerial Dance Chicago Chicago, IL Afriky Lolo St. Louis, MO Ballet Memphis Memphis, TN Barkin/Selissen Project New York, NY The Big Muddy Dance Company

St. Louis, MO BODYART New York, NY Chicago Tap Theatre Chicago, IL Common Thread Contemporary Dance Company St. Louis, MO The Dancing Wheels Company Cleveland, OH Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Dayton, OH Eisenhower Dance Southfield, MI Giordano Dance Chicago Chicago, IL Grand Rapids Ballet Grand Rapids, MI Helen Simoneau Danse Winston-Salem, NC Jennifer Muller/The Works New York, NY Joel Hall Dancers Chicago, IL Joffrey Ballet Duet Chicago, IL Laura Careless/Alchemy for Nomads Brooklyn, NY MADCO St. Louis, MO METdance Company Houston, TX Owen/Cox Dance Group Kansas City, MO Peridance Contemporary Dance Company New York, NY Project 44 Astoria, NY Push Dance Company San Francisco, CA Saint Louis Ballet St. Louis, MO Thodos Dance Chicago Chicago, IL

15

ART + EDUCATION:

Paul Varley, Clayton School District

W

ho knows, jokes Paul Varley, trict’s fine arts coordinator.

Varley believes arts education is a Wydown Middle School measure of the success of any civilizaband director and Clayton tion. “When you look at history and School District fine arts coordinator. what’s left behind from a certain period, Had he not lost his brand new winter it is the arts that stand out,” he says. hat in third grade, he may have grown “Take the Renaissance period. The first up to play the trumpet.

As it turned out, he felt so bad about thing that pops into your mind is the losing the hat that he told his parents to artwork, sculpture, architecture and hold off buying him a trumpet. music. If you say what was going on in “My parents didn’t have a lot of the world of science during that time, money, so losing that hat was a pretty right off the top of my head, I can’t tell big deal,” says Varley. “By the time I you.

“The arts increase the creativity of was in fifth grade, they said, ‘Enough students. Any type of art takes a lot of with worrying about losing the hat’ and self-discipline, which then carries over encouraged me to start [playing] an to other parts of your instrument. I decided on Paul Varley believes arts life. In music or drama, the clarinet because my education is a measure of you have to work with mom had these records the success of any civilizaother people, which also with Big Band clarinet tion. “When you look at transfers to other parts players like Benny history and what’s left of your life because colGoodman, Artie Shaw behind from a certain laboration is so importand Woody Herman. period, it is the arts that ant.

They sounded so cool.” stand out.”

Regardless of instru “And then there’s the personal enjoyment the ment, what has arts bring. When you think about the remained constant throughout Varley’s major events in your life, they all incorlife is a love and appreciation for music. porate music or some kind of artwork.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Varley played You take art out of your everyday life in the school band and everyone in his family sang.

“At family gatherings, my Aunt Ruth would sit at the organ in the dining room and we would gather around and all sing,” he says. “I never had private [music] lessons until I got to college.

There was always a musical atmosphere at home but it wasn’t a hard-working musical atmosphere. We weren’t sitting around practicing all the time, we just did it for fun.”

At Penn State University, Varley was a music education major and played clarinet in the marching band, concert band and wind ensemble.

After earning his master’s in music education from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and doctorate in teaching and learning processes from University of Missouri-St. Louis, Varley taught for 14 years in North Dakota before coming to Clayton’s Wydown Middle School in 1992. He is one of five band directors and serves as the disPaul Varley with a student.

16

and you’ve got nothing left. You’ve got everyone living in a box, and it’s going to be real quiet.”

Varley, who is married and has two adult daughters, both of whom majored in theater in college, currently sings in the choir at his church and performs with a small doo-wop group that sings at retirement homes. He also plays clarinet occasionally with the Starlighters Swinging Big Band, based in Washington, Missouri.

He says that as an arts educator, making a long-term impact on his students’ lives is what matters most to him.

“You can say success is your bands doing well at competitions or you have a lot of kids taking private music lessons; but I measure it long-term.

“If you’re drawing a lot of kids into your arts programs - and we do at Clayton - something must be going right,” he continues. “But I think my strength has been getting kids excited about music and the arts so that it stays with them for the long haul.”

For information about Wydown Middle

School and the Clayton School District, visit claytonschools.net

DONOR SPOTLIGHT:

William Donius

W

illiam A. “Bill” Donius, former Chairman and CEO of Pulaski Bank, has spent the past eight years doing research in an area that greatly interests him: creative thinking. He conducted 200 interviews that resulted in a book, Thought Revolution: How to Unlock Your Inner Genius, recently updated by Simon & Schuster in August 2014.

Currently, Donius is working with a number of large global companies, including Kawasaki, Walt Disney Studios and Maui Jim Sunglasses, helping them tackle problems and find innovative, creative solutions using the unique approach to Ideation described in his book. The methodology is based on a Nobel Prize-winning discovery in neuroscience.

Ideation integrates all the advantages of brainstorming and leverages advances in science and psychology over the past 80 years. “Teams around the world are benefiting from applying this revolutionary way of thinking to their problems,” says Donius, “resulting in faster and mostly better solutions to those intractable problems they face.”

Donius is also an avid art collector and recently loaned several major pieces from his collection to the Arts and Education Council. Happenings caught up with him to talk about his passion for art, how it began and advice he would give to someone getting started.

Works from Bill Donius’ Collection, Generously Loaned to A&E: Maxwell Stephens, Movement #3, 1997, charcoal and beeswax on canvas Robert Ramirez, Study for Urn Series, 1986, oil on paper William Burroughs, The Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth, Avarice, Lust, Envy, 1991, woodblock and screenprints Mark Schwartz, Untitled #90-1, 1990, mixed media on canvas Ross Bleckner, Throbbing Hearts, 2005, silkscreen Belinda Lee, Heroes See Beyond Themselves, Subcommandante, Marcos and Supporters, 1993, oil on canvas Kathryn Henneman, Primavera, oil on canvas Piet Mondrian, Composition C, 1935, print

Cynthia Prost (left) and Bill Donius (right) with Untitled #90-1 by Mark Schwartz.

When did you begin collecting art?

In 1984 at age 26, when living in Los Angeles.

What inspires you to collect?

I’ve had a lifelong appreciation for art.

My interest may have started in the sixth grade when I took a watercolor painting class. I don’t remember exactly how I discovered it. But I was grateful to my mother, as she had to drive me to this class once a week. I gained a great appreciation for making art: the finesse, difficulty, perspective and requisite skills. I continued to take classes here and there including drawing classes at Otis Parsons while living in Los Angeles.

I experimented, created some work and even sold some work through a dealer that represented me. I learned a great deal more while serving on committees at the St. Louis Art Museum and currently as a Trustee.

What role does art play in your life – personally and professionally?

I appreciate art and artists. I developed a personal collection over the past few decades and am fortunate to be able to live amongst the art everyday. I do some rotating. My previous residence even felt a bit like an art gallery.

As far as the role it plays, it’s twofold. Art brings me joy on a simple, basic level. It also plays an aspirational

role in my life as it causes me to reflect, be more intentional and thoughtful in my actions. I am reminded by the tremendous amount of talent and skill that goes into making a piece of art. So, it’s a reminder to strive, to put forth one’s personal best in all things, to reach for a higher level of expression. This applies on both a personal and professional level.

What suggestions do you have for someone who is a novice and wants to get started collecting art?

Dive in. Have fun. Purchase what speaks to you. Don’t worry about thinking about it as a financial investment; consider it an emotional investment that will inspire you everyday. Go to gallery openings, lectures, talk to artists to learn more about how art is made.

For more information about Donius and

his books, visit williamalandonius.com

Bill Donius (center) placing Movement #3 by Maxwell Stephens at the A&E offices.

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ART + EDUCATION:

Metro Theater Company Arts Integration Program

A

rts in schools can take on many different forms. First to mind is often art as curriculum: visual art classes, drama class or choirs. Art is also frequently used as a tool to enhance other subjects, like singing the ABCs or building a volcano for a chemistry experiment. Metro Theatre Company (an A&E grant recipient) takes art and education one step further: Art Integration.

Arts integration has dual learning objectives, so students gain greater understanding of the arts and another subject through the course of a project, rather than simply using art as a teaching tool. Arts integration encourages active learning and combines different learning styles (visual, kinesthetic and auditory) to reach a wider range of stu-

dents. The arts have been shown to stimulate critical thinking and connect students to what can otherwise be abstract or complex concepts, ultimately resulting in a range of positive academic outcomes including increased language development, problem solving, self-confidence and cross-cultural understanding.

“Arts integration is an exciting approach to teaching and learning,” says Karen Weberman, MTC’s director of education. “It’s all about inviting students to co-construct their learning experience and to create personal connections to core academics because they are learning through a variety of art forms.”

The best way to explain how arts integration works is by example. MTC

has had a longtime partnership with the Webster Groves School District, facilitating a program for fifth and sixth graders called Building Community through Drama. “By integrating theater arts, creative movement, music, visual art and other art forms, we not only tackle community building and social/ emotional development but also connect to history and social studies.

“We use these techniques to get to historical instances of oppression, specifically the Holocaust, and as we explore historical instances of oppression we are also exploring modern-day instances such as bullying.”

Ultimately, says Weberman, students will come to better understand tolerance, respect, individuality and personal expression. Employing a technique

Teaching artist Renita James (center) setting up a tableau with students at Pierremont Elementary.

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Metro Theater Arts Integration (cont.) called “tableau,” desks are pushed aside to make plenty of room for students to create frozen snapshots with their bodies that illustrate abstract or literal thoughts about oppression.

“We work on creating individual and small group frozen pictures that might represent an instance of oppression during the Holocaust,” says Weberman.

“Students often get caught up in narratives. Using frozen pictures is a great way to get them to be precise and collaborate together.”

In taking lessons from the Holocaust and applying them to instances of bullying, students also use a tool called a thought bubble, explains Weberman.

“We might create a series of tableau images that represent welcoming and Pierremont Elementary students creating a tableau. unwelcoming behavior. With a situation week residency for the past eight years. them.” of bullying, how can someone step in to “They work with our classroom teachers Reilly says that for her preschoolers, help? a lot of the work MTC does is teaching and children 3 to 5 years old,” explains “We hold a thought bubble over a them to control their bodies. “Can you Debbie Reilly, director of The Family student’s head and call on other stumove your body very fast and then Center.

“The arts integration program dents to fill in the bubble. They say out stop? Do you have that ability?” she for us is all about music and movement. loud what the student might be thinksays. “Do you know the difference MTC works with our teachers to find ing. We talk about body language and between skipping and galloping? Can out what the needs of each class are. messages sent by the way we hold our “Is it a class that really likes to be you move your body through a tunnel? selves,” she explains. moving, are they working on social/ Can you join hands and make a sculp “Through this process, we imagine emotional issues like ture? and reimagine what stu “A lot of the activities are about personal space?

They dents can do to advo“By integrating theater them figuring out their bodies and do great things with cate for themselves if arts, creative movement, space. That’s a big thing for preschoolspace bubbles, which is they are bullied, or if music, visual art and other really getting children to ers – figuring out personal space and they are a bystander. art forms – we not only when they are too close and have to be be mindful of others’ Through problem solvtackle community building respectful of others around them.” personal space.” and social/emotional ing and collaboration, Reilly says one of the Reilly adds that MTC’s residencies development but also conwhich is what the arts many great aspects of also include working with music and nect to history and social are all about, students studies.” the program is that it using it to move in different ways. develop their own voice Karen Weberman adapts to the particular Theater is also mixed in, encouraging by using their bodies Metro Theater Company needs of each classthe children to use their faces and bodand imagination.” room. A few years ago, ies to show various emotions and MTC’s arts integrashe recalls, one class had read a book expressions. tion programs work with students from “One of the aspects I like so much about the ocean, which fascinated the early childhood through 12th grade in about MTC’s arts integration program is children. “They wound up doing all school districts throughout St. Louis that they include the classroom teacher these movement activities that got the city and county. Specific programs as part of the experience,” says Reilly. children to imagine finding treasure in often depend on the children’s ages or “That way the teacher can further the the ocean, mimicking how fish swim in grade levels as well as the length of the experience once MTC is finished. the ocean,” says Reilly. “There were all arts integrated residency. The shortest “It’s really been a great partnership and kinds of wonderful learning and movenumber of sessions is five, with each one we plan to continue.” ment around this. The children ended lasting an hour. Others can go for as Metro Theater Company is an A&E grant up creating a poster that talked about long as a semester or an entire acarecipient. To learn more, visit metroplays.org. the different colors of the ocean, the demic year. many shades of blues and greens. It The School District of Clayton Family ended up being a whole experience for Center has engaged MTC in a nine19

IN MEMORIAM:

Ida Goodwin Woolfolk

O

n March 23, 2016, the St. Louis community lost an icon and pillar of community service.

Ida Goodwin Woolfolk was a dear and true friend of the Arts and Education Council, having served as the A&E Workplace Giving Campaign coordinator for the St. Louis Public School District for 35 of her 40+ years of service in public education. After her “retirement,” Ida continued to support A&E by attending and contributing to A&E’s annual St. Louis Arts Awards.

A&E was only one of hundreds of organizations that benefited from Ms. Ida’s immense generosity and heartfelt commitment to the positive advancement of St. Louis through education, health and human services, and the arts.

She served on boards of the Hopewell Mental Health Center, Urban League Guild, Griot Museum of Black History and the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

She volunteered with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, the MathewsDickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club, among others. Ida was especially known as a formidable “Mistress of Ceremonies” in which her infectious passion for community improvement and charitable giving would move others to give freely their time, talents and treasures to the organizations she supported.

Ida began her lifelong passion for and commitment to her community as a school teacher and counselor. She retired in 2004 from the St. Louis Public

School District as special assistant to the superintendent and director of community engagement and partnership.

And it was “partnership” for which Ida will likely be most remembered; for bringing people and organizations from seemingly disparate sides together for a common cause and to pursue and achieve audacious goals. The board, staff, volunteers and grantees of A&E feel very fortunate and thankful for the support and commitment that Ida gave - freely - to strengthen access to and appreciation for the arts in St. Louis.

Our hearts go out to her daughter, family, friends and colleagues during this time of loss. Ida was in many respects our community’s glue and we are, for this moment, broken without her.

Ida (left) with personal friends and honorees, Thelma and David Steward at the 2014 St. Louis Arts Awards.

Ida (center) with guests of World Wide Technology and the Steward Family Foundation at the 2016 St. Louis Arts Awards.

Town & Style

Ida (right) at A&E’s 2015 Chairman’s Circle event at Opera Theatre with A&E president and CEO, Cynthia Prost (center right), Vanessa Halim (center left) and Charles Okwuraiwe (left).

20

Ida (left) and fellow community volunteer and philanthropist, Carol Voss.

MAKERS OF ST. LOUIS:

Andrew Goodin, Grand Center Arts Academy

Goodin in the Makerspace classroom at Grand Center Arts Academy.

F

ive years ago, Andrew Goodin’s chemistry class needed new computers. Mastercard donated old laptops and Goodin, the chemistry teacher, recruited some tech-savvy students to fix them – he expected them to be ready in about six months. Within weeks, the students had repaired hardware and updated the operating systems, and the computers were ready to go. So, Goodin found more projects.

That group turned into the pilot project for what is now the Grand Center Arts Academy Makerspace. It began as an after-school club, then became a drop-in room similar to a library, and, after many student requests, it was made an official class in 2014. The Makerspace now offers five courses for middle and high school students, including one that works with Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to design a scale model of the updated Arch

“It’s a very common misconception that everything we do in Makerspace is focused on app design and 3D printing or high tech tools. In reality, the most powerful and most applicable design thinking that we do is the design of human experience. Empathy is such a huge component of design, and empathy is also incredibly applicable in the arts and academics. So, redesigning the process of going from class to class, or what’s in my backpack and how can I position it so I can access it more easily. Or, a student used an empathy map in one of her other classes to design an essay. When students are taking design thinking to those tiny, personal problems, that’s when it’s most effective.”

Grounds.

Students enrolled in one of Goodin’s classes choose a problem to solve and use design thinking to brainstorm solutions and create prototypes. Projects can be anything from planning a more efficient way to pack a bag, to creating a garden that is completely autonomous by using light and moisture sensors to activate different functions.

Students have the power to choose projects that interest them and use tools and Goodin’s guidance to find solutions.

The independence and design-thinking encourage creative solutions and give the students the tools for successful problem solving in all areas of their lives. The impact of design thinking goes beyond their classroom projects.

Goodin has big dreams for his students.

“If the goal of Makerspace is for students to apply design thinking, the

vision of Makerspace is that one day students will fill the roles of tech companies here in St. Louis, or start their own companies in St. Louis, and that they’ll be able to naturally fit into an environment like @4240 [a high-tech workspace in downtown St. Louis] or CET [Center of Emerging Technologies] and have had this experience from 6th grade on,” explains Goodin.

Since the GCAA Makerspace was established three years ago, approximately 40 similar programs have been created at area schools and organizations. Each program is unique to the community and students it serves, but they all have design thinking and a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) focus in common.

To learn more about the Grand Center

Arts Academy and its Makerspace, visit grandcenterartsacademy.org.

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A&E NEWS:

New Website

W

ith generous support from the Arthur & Helen Baer Foundation, the Arts and Education Council launched a robust new website in March, created by Spry Digital. The visually stunning and deeply informative KeepArtHappening.org demonstrates the depth and breadth of the Arts and Education Council’s work in the community.

Stories showcasing the impact of A&E and its grantees are featured throughout the site. Learn how A&E invests in, impacts, accelerates and celebrates the art in our community.

The online Know & Go calendar for ARTS Card holders is now even easier to use, with filters for specific genres and dates. The calendar interacts with Google Calendar, iCal, Outlook and Yahoo! Calendar so events can be immediately saved to personal devices.

Avid Happenings readers will enjoy the expanded and behind-the-scenes stories found throughout the site. The A&E Blog keeps readers up to date with

The home page of the new A&E website and the Know & Go Calendar (below).

stories about the arts’ impact on individuals, Makers of St. Louis, grantee events and community features.

The clean, fresh design of the website paired with enhanced and in-depth information about A&E creates an easy and enlightening user experience that caters to community members, donors and grant recipients alike.

Visit KeepArtHappening.org to experience the exciting new site and learn even more about A&E and your contributions’ impact in the St. Louis area.

ART + SUMMER:

YoungLiars Summer Actor Training Festival

Y

oungLiars are offering their first annual Summer Training Festival July 10-16 at A&E’s Centene Center for the Arts. The Festival is a one-week immersive event for adults featuring three separate physical training styles taught by three different St. Louis theatre artists - no acting experience required!

Chuck Harper, co-producing director of YoungLiars and head of performance at SIUE, leads the Suzuki Method classes. Harper has 20 years of experience in the Suzuki method, a physical training system that draws from traditional Japanese and Greek theatre and martial arts to develop stage presence and physical power.

Jef Awada, a core member of YoungLiars and professor at Webster Conservatory, is the instructor for the Red Nose Clown classes. Awada will challenge actors to be honest, present 22

and playful while on stage, drawing from his own training with clown master teachers.

The Viewpoints and Expressionistic Movement classes are lead by Lucy Cashion, artistic director and founder of ERA theatre, a professor at St. Louis University, and a guest director at Prison Performing Arts and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. The classes will focus on the physical vocabulary for creating movement on stage and creating meaning through movement.

Classes are offered every evening throughout the week and each night is preceded by a guided yoga-based warm-up, led by Maggie Conroy. The final night’s classes will be followed by a closing party on the Centene Atrium and Terrace. The registration fee is $125; $100 for registration before June 1. All registered participants are welcome to

attend any of the classes.

YoungLiars is a tenant in A&E’s Centene

Center for the Arts. For reservations, class schedule and more information find YoungLiars at on.fb.me/1PPqtLC.

YoungLiars’ production of The Dispute.

A&E NEWS:

Young Friends of the Arts Centene Center for the Arts 3547 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103-1014 p 314.289.4000 f 314.289.4019

2016 Board of Directors CHAIR Leonard T. Eschbach SECRETARY Peter Sargent TREASURER Ruth Saphian

The Young Friends of the Arts, a new affinity group of A&E, held its first board meeting on Wednesday, April 13. Left to right: (back) Noah Vasquez, Morgan Clark, Kelly Hummert, Thomas SanFilippo, Vanessa Vasquez, Erin Schrieber; (front) Adam Stanley, Jorie Jacobi, Kate Maxson, Tom Epstein. For more information about the Young Friends of the Arts, visit KeepArtHappening.org/YoungFriends.

MEMBERS Nora Akerberg Susan Block Sheila Burkett Chris Cedergreen Diane Drollinger John Gianoulakis Barbara B. Goodman Kristin J. Guehlstorf Jason Hall Cary D. Hobbs

Nicole Hudson C. Brendan Johnson Eric Koestner Kenneth Kranzberg Linda Lee Janet Newcomb Dorte Probstein Rachelle Rowe Shawn Schukar Donald M. Senti Mary Ann Srenco Susan A. Stith Andrew Trivers Carol J. Voss Caren Vredenburgh IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Terrance J. Good EX-OFFICIO Cynthia A. Prost

Circle of Giving

Staff

February 1, 2016 - March 31, 2016

PRESIDENT & CEO Cynthia A. Prost

The following donors have made gifts that enable the Arts and Education Council to help preserve St. Louis’ legacy of artistic excellence and enrich its cultural community.

A&E appreciates the continued support from these individuals, businesses and organizations. Thank you! $10,000 and above Louis D. Beaumont Fund No.1 of the St. Louis Community Foundation $5,000 -$9,999.99 Randall’s Wine & Spirits $2,500 -$4,999.99 Mr. and Mrs. Richard N. Priest $1,000 - $2,499.99 Mr. and Mrs. Tom A. Epstein Mr. Terrance J. Good

Ms. Cary D. Hobbs Kuhn Foundation Drs. Dan & Susan Luedke Mrs. Janet W. Newcomb Ms. Rachelle Rowe Dr. Vicki L. Sauter St. Louis Public Radio Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Trivers Ms. Caren A. Vredenburgh Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Waltman $500 - $999.99 Mary E. Anderson, Ed.D Mr. and Mrs. John A.

Brennan Mr. and Mrs. Don R. Carlson Mr. Dick B. Cooper DM3 Fund Mr. and Mrs. John D. Doyle Mr. and Mrs. Venable M. Houts Mr. Eric D. Martin Dr. Julia K. Muller and Mr. Earl K. Shreckengast Mr. David S. Obedin and Dr. Clare M. Davis RubinBrown LLP

Peter H. Bunce • Ann M. Corrigan Joseph E. Corrigan • Karen J. Isbell James A. Krekeler • Glenn Sheffield Judith Cozad Smith • Michael W. Weisbrod

To make your gift to the A&E, visit KeepArtHappening.org or contact Kate Francis, Vice President of Development, at (314) 289-4003 or Kate-F@KeepArtHappening.org.

DEVELOPMENT & EVENTS COORDINATOR Melissa Howe

VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION & GRANTS Susan Rowe Jennings

ONLINE GIVING & GRANTS COORDINATOR Mandi Hanway

VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT Kate Francis

MARKETING COORDINATOR Krista B. Grant

CONTROLLER Joseph Soer

MARKETING CONSULTANTS Ellen Futterman Christine Blonn

DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS Heather Edwards Dorothy Powell DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION Tonya Hahne Patricia Tichacek

stlouis.bbb.org

Tenants of Centene Center for the Arts Arts and Education Council African Heritage Association of St. Louis, Inc. African Musical Arts AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) Leverage Dance Theater Bach Society of St. Louis Cinema St. Louis

Circus Flora Gateway Center for Performing Arts Gateway Men's Chorus Peter Martin Music Prison Performing Arts St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association Tennessee Williams Festival Upstream Theatre 23 Young Liars

Centene Center for the Arts 3547 Olive Street St. Louis, Missouri 63103-1014

The Centene Center for the Arts

an arts accelerator and event space in Grand Center owned and managed by the Arts and Education Council

With a beautiful gothic-style white glazed terra cotta faรงade, corridors lined in Italian marble, a rooftop deck, and elaborate ironwork the Centene Center is a perfect space for intimate weddings, rehearsal dinners, parties and corporate events.

For rental information contact Susan Rowe Jennings at 314.289.4004 or Susan-R@KeepArtHappening.org

/ArtsAndEducation

@ArtEdStl

Arts_Education_Council

ArtsAndEducSTL 2013 Missouri Arts Award-Philanthropy

2012 Spirit of Philanthropy Award