Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           www.selu.edu/NewsEvents
    Date: 1/9/98
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple  5

Editors: Photo accompanies release -- Please note local interest
SLU HOSTS NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ART EXHIBITION, FAMILY ARTS FESTIVAL
     HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University's Clark Hall Gallery has been selected
to open its doors to young artists' images of the past, present and future from Jan. 28-Feb. 25 as
part of the southwest regional exhibition of the Crayola Dream-Makers National Art Education
Program.
     The exhibition, which formally opens Jan. 31 with a special "Imagination Family Arts
Festival from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Clark Hall, highlights artwork by 80 kindergarten-sixth grade
children from nine states and Puerto Rico. Through the exhibit, the young artists will experience
"what every artist dreams of -- the thrill of having their artwork on display in a gallery," said
Southeastern art professor Kim Finley-Stansbury, who is coordinating the Crayola Dream-
Makers Exhibition's visit to Southeastern along with gallery director Don Marshall and students
in Southeastern's Cultural Resource Management program.
     Nine children from southeast Louisiana children are represented in the exhibit: Courtney
Pirosko, Hammond; Cody Jones, Holden; Ashley Monjure, Pearl River;  Amanda Boone
and Daniel Brumfield, Angie; Laura Martinez, Baton Rouge; Amanda Henne, Caitlin
Malik and Timothy Schaeffer, Destrehan.
     Inspired by the "Tales to Tell" theme in the Crayola Dream-Makers guide, children
created artwork to answer the questions, "What will the world be like tomorrow?", "Can we
building a better world today?" and "What can we learn from the past?" Artwork was selected
based on visual appeal, originality, age appropriateness and the child's interpretive dream
statement.
     Southeastern was selected as one of 15 universities throughout the United States and 
                                 (MORE) 
CRAYOLAS -- Add One
Canada to host the Dream-Makers exhibition because of its reputation for excellence in art
education, said Eric Zebley, coordinator of the Dream-Makers program for Binney & Smith,
maker of Crayola products and the program's sponsor. "Through the Dream-Makers program and
the exhibition, we hope to draw more attention to the important role art plays in the development
of children."
     Marshall said the Imagination Family Arts Festival, which he hopes will become an
annual event, will give the community an opportunity to celebrate the talents of the young
Dream-Maker artists. The festival schedule of performances and hands on art activities for
children and families, all slated for Clark Hall, includes
       Stories in Motion, 11 a.m. Storytelling by Bonnie Bess Wood and Frank Levy. 
       The World of Percussion, 11:30-12:30 p.m. This musical and visual arts presentation
of percussion from around the world and from ancient Africa begins with Curtis Pierre's entry on
stilts, wearing an African mask and playing the African talking drum. Several groups of students
will be invited to play different instruments and to participate in a procession. 
       Around the World in a Day, 1:30-2:30 p.m. From her "magic suitcase" filled with
music, humor, props and stories, Dianne de Las Casas will unpack folktales for the funny bone
from the Philippines, Mexico, Africa and Japan.
       The Talking Eggs: A Louisiana Folk Tale, 2:30-3:30 p.m. The Calliope Puppet and
Mask Theater celebrates the cultural diversity of Louisiana through a traditional tale of kindness
rewarded with roots in Africa, Haiti and Europe. A mysterious and magical swamp woman is the
pivotal character in this story, presented by full-size hand puppets and shadow puppets and set in
the swamp and bayous of south Louisiana.
     Finley-Stansbury said area teachers can also participate in a free book-making workshop
from 9 a.m.-noon. Space is limited to 22 participants, she said, so interested teachers are asked to
call her to register at 504-549-2193.
     For additional information about the Crayola Dream-Makers Exhibition or the
Imagination Family Arts Festival, call the SLU Department of Visual Arts, 504-549-2193.
                                 - SLU -
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