Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
www.speakerobrien.com
Contact: Jeanne H. Schmedlen
Director of Special Projects and Chief of Protocol
(717) 705-1894
jschmedlen@speakerobrien.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2008
Legislators Welcome Arts in Education Day to Capitol
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s outstanding young artists and dedicated art educators were celebrated at the Capitol today as House Speaker Dennis M. O’Brien and Sen. Anthony H. Williams hosted the 13th annual Pennsylvania Arts in Education Day.
Hundreds of high school, middle school and elementary students from across Pennsylvania showcased their musical, theatrical and visual artistic talents to Capitol visitors and the General Assembly.
“This year’s theme is ‘Sowing the Seeds of Creativity in Pennsylvania’s Youth.’ Today’s performances by talented young people make evident how arts education truly cultivates creativity in children and underlines the importance of the arts in our lives,” O’Brien said. “It is a privilege for both students and legislators together to celebrate Arts in Education Day.”
Coordinated by the Speaker’s Office, Pennsylvania Arts in Education Day was established in 1995 as a way to emphasize the significance of art education in schools statewide. Over the years, thousands of students, teachers, parents and art lovers have made the trip to the Capitol to highlight the important impact that arts education has on the lives of children.
“Without exposure and practice in the arts, creativity would be stunted. It is with that understanding that I am proud to recognize Arts in Education Day 2008,” said Williams, who is a member of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
Seventeen groups and individuals took part in this year’s celebration. Schools were selected to perform by Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, whose board hosted a breakfast reception for legislators featuring musical performances by Nancy Jin and Matt Weschler, students from the Governor’s School for the Arts.
Other performances took place throughout the day in the Capitol Rotunda and East Wing Rotunda and several groups showcased their talents for passing crowds at Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg.
The Capitol itself was given a splash of color by the visual arts groups who displayed artwork and entertained crowds with on-site activities such as Italian street painting.
Francesca Fiore, winner of the state Poetry Out Loud Competition, recited a poem before the House of Representatives and was recognized as an outstanding ambassador for the arts and youth in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Art Educators Association presented its PAEA Merit Awards to students Carson Swartz of Carlisle Area School District; James Foltz of Wilmington School District; and Julio Galvis of Bristol Township School District to recognize their “exceptional promise” in the arts.
Participating students received certificates signed by Speaker O’Brien and Senator Williams.
Arts in Education Day is a project combining the efforts of the state legislature and Pennsylvania’s art associations.
Event co-sponsors include: A League of Our Own; TheatreHub; Binney and Smith Inc.; Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania; the Governor’s School for the Arts; Harristown Development Corp.; PCA Arts in Education Partnership; the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; the Pennsylvania Department of Education; the Pennsylvania Humanities Council; and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.
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