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Willamette University Introduces the World of Art to Richmond Elementary Students

Willamette University will bring the world of the arts into the hearts of fourth-grade students at Richmond Elementary, Willamette's partner school, through the Summer Fine Arts Festival. The program started in the summer of 2000.

For the week of June 4-8, 2001, 100 fourth-grade students will enter the campus life of Willamette from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Artists from the community are selected to teach classes in all arts areas. Guest performers and artists are keynote speakers and presenters each day and the children will participate in a performing a full-length opera.

The children's opera, "Sid, the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing," will be performed on Thursday, June 7 at 7 p.m. in Smith Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public. Children from Richmond elementary school will join area professional and semi-professional singers in this fun, fast paced opera. For more information on the opera or the week of events, contact Robin Fromherz at 503-375-5410.

The schedule for the week of activities includes:

Monday, June 4 - Visual arts day
Includes performance and demonstration of puppetry by "Tears of Joy" puppet theatre from Portland followed by round robin classes (groups of 25 each) in watercolor, understanding the art of Georgia O'Keefe, t-shirt painting and quilting.

Tuesday, June 5 - Dance day
Begins with a demonstration of Native American dance from The Confederated Tribes of Grand Rhonde followed by classes in Western line dance, ballet and show dance. After lunch Darryl Thomas and his dancers will lead an interactive dance demonstration featuring African American dance.

Wednesday, June 6 - Writing day
The creator of Flying Rhino publishing company will present the keynote followed by rotations to a class led by Flying Rhino illustrators on how to illustrate writings, a trip to the Hallie Ford Museum for museum writing, a guest writer of scary stories and poetry workshop. After lunch, author Colleen Coleman will visit the group with her pet pig.

Thursday, June 7 - Music day
The day begins with a performance by Taeko Drummers followed by a discussion of the orchestra, marching, playing chimes and listening to the story of John Phillip Sousa. After lunch is the first showing of "Sid the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing."

Friday, June 8 - Theatre day Class rotations will include a trip to the Elsinore Theatre, theatre make-up and theatre games followed by a performance by the theater troupe from Howard Street school. After lunch, the Tyger's Heart Shakespeare Company from Portland will present a segment of a Shakespeare play and work with groups of children.

05-29-2001