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Kids Creative Collaboration

Friends of the Arts Regional Arts Council
PO Box 386
Plymouth, NH 03264-0386
(603) 536-1182
Contact: Joy Nolan
Email: pfa@plymouth.edu

For Immediate Release

Kids Creative Collaboration
Friends of the Arts, CADY & A+ Team Up To Provide Art Education

Plymouth, NH- June 25, 2007: Before school let out for the year, over seventy students in both the A+ and CADY programs participated in a series of two-day workshops offered by Friends of the Arts. These three local organizations collaborate throughout the year on programs like this one, thanks in part by support from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For the CADY teens, the first half of the workshop focused on creating a journal whose cover provided a canvas for the students to explore self-expression and to develop their own voice both in the written word and with representational imagery. On the second day, students were presented with the opportunity to build from what they had established in the previous session and create a picture frame that would hold a self-portrait.
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The students “are thrilled with their journals and personalized picture frames,” says Deb Naro, Executive Director of CADY. “They all enjoyed the program; it was age appropriate and gave the youth an opportunity for introspection.”

Jill Levine, Coordinator of the A+ program is equally enthusiastic about the experience her students had. “This program went beyond our expectations,” says Levine. “The students had a great time and were highly engaged.”

For the A+ programs, workshops were tailored to the specific needs of both the sixth through eight grades as well as the first through fifth grades. The youngest group was introduced to the work of Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy before heading outside to create their own natural sculptures.

“It was really a thrill to see how readily and enthusiastically the children responded to the ideas we presented to them,” says Elizabeth MacCrellish, Program Director for Friends of the Arts. “I was so impressed with what they created and loved knowing they would continue this on their own as several of them ran up to tell me they were going to do this in their own backyard.”
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Communities for Alcohol-and Drug-free Youth (CADY, Inc.) is a local coalition dedicated to working with schools and communities to prevent and reduce youth alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and to promote healthy environments and promising futures for area teens.

A+ P.L.U.S. is a 21st Century Community Learning Center after school program that provides programming for the students of Plymouth Elementary School that incorporates academic and enrichment activities while encouraging personal growth in a safe environment.

The mission of Friends of the Arts is to present quality visual and performing arts that are affordable and accessible to children and adults as both observers and participants. The Regional Arts Council is dedicated to arts education, enrichment and improving the patronage and support of New Hampshire Artists. No individual will be turned away from participating in the programs due to insufficient funds. For more information call the Friends of the Arts office at (603)536-1182 or visit the website at www.friends-of-the-arts.org

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