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Press Release 5.1.03 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “Make, Create & Celebrate” Arts Council Silicon Valley ArtsConnect Exhibition May 3 – July 3, 2003 Artist Reception, May 16, 2003 San Jose, CA, May 1, 2003 – Dazzling and dark, delightful and revealing is the Arts Council Silicon Valley “Make, Create & Celebrate” art exhibition, which opens May 3 at the de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University. The exhibit runs through July 3, 2003 and showcases the dynamic and varied work of more than 50 young artists who participated in ArtsConnect. This collaborative program provides art instruction to at-risk youth and is produced by Arts Council Silicon Valley, in partnership with Santa Clara County Office of Education. Bay Area artists are placed in 18 alternative schools where they teach students how to paint, sculpt, write, construct masks and baskets, and even produce a musical CD. The most tangible result is a professionally curated exhibit reflecting a range of experiences and perspectives. The show features striking masks fashioned from paper maiché adorned with feathers and glass beads, sketches, watercolor paintings, intricate three-dimensional wire weavings and tabletop sculptures. A sizable photomural honoring the teens’ heroes will also be on display. A reception honoring these aspiring creators, age 12 through 18, will be held May 16, 2003 from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon at the de Saisset Museum. Admission to the exhibit and reception is free. “This is one of the most impactful programs the Arts Council produces,” said Arts Council Executive Director Bruce Davis. “We continue to expand and change ArtsConnect to meet shifting community needs — and certainly the well-being of our youth is of high importance.” ArtsConnect has served more than 10,000 students since 1989 and continues to meet a vital need within the education system. It also fulfills the Arts Council’s mission in supporting artists with paid opportunities for work. Each year the Arts Council assembles qualified artists and provides orientation and training specific to the program. Artists submit portfolios of arts education curriculum. Teachers are free to choose their classroom artist for residencies lasting between one and seven months per site. Research from “Americans for the Arts,” a national arts advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., has shown arts education programs to be effective in reducing juvenile delinquency and truancy problems among at-risk youth. Arts exposure also improves life skills including self-esteem, teamwork, motivation, discipline and problem solving. ArtsConnect is funded in part by the California Arts Council, through the Artists in Residence program; Alza Corporation; Aspect Communications; Cisco Systems Foundation; Deloitte & Touche, LLP; San Jose Mercury News; County of Santa Clara; Qualcomm Corporation, Stella B. Gross Charitable Trust; Morris Stulsaft Foundation; United Defense LP and the Valley Foundation. ArtsConnect Alternative Schools Alternative Placement Academy; Bill Wilson School; Blue Ridge High School; Bridge Community School; Camden Community School; Calero Community School; Enterprise Academy; Foundry Community Day School; Holden Community School; McKinnon Community School; Muriel Wright School; Osborne School; Ridgemont Community School; Santa Clara Community School; Santa Clara Community School; South County Community School; Stonegate Community School; TeenAge Parent Program. ArtsConnect Professional Artists Erica Lann-Clark, storytelling/drama; Judy Gittlesohn, murals; Janlyn Dance Co., dance; Mark Engel, visual arts; Olga Loya, visual arts, storytelling; Red Ladder Theatre Company, drama; Joan DiStefano Ruiz, visual arts; John Tomasi, visual; Gertrud Turner, textiles, visual arts; Craig Ward, music. de Saisset Museum Information The de Saisset Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 p.m. It is located on the Santa Clara University campus at 500 El Camino Real in Santa Clara. 408-554-4528. IIncorporated in 1983, Arts Council Silicon Valley is celebrating its 20th anniversary as an independent regional arts support and planning agency, dedicated to supporting the arts and culture in our community by providing funding, advocacy and services to the region’s arts organizations and artists. As the official state/local partner with the California Arts Council and the County of Santa Clara, Arts Council Silicon Valley is now the second largest nonprofit arts council in the state. Over the past ten years, the Arts Council has distributed nearly $6 million to local arts and cultural organizations, individual artists, schools and community groups. ## |
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