News from Art in Action

E-magination

April 2011

Degas horses thumbnail Creative thinking inspires art. In the 1880s Degas was inspired by photography to add life to his painted horses by showing them galloping off the page. He had seen the action photography of Eadweard Muybridge, who had photographed Leland Stanford's horses to settle a bet. Stanford wanted to show that a horse could have all four hooves off the ground at once, a radical idea at that time. He hired Muybridge to photograph horses galloping, but in 1872, a camera could only take a single picture before being reloaded. Muybridge placed a series of large cameras in a line, each one being triggered by a thread as the horse passed. Stanford won the bet. More importantly, his innovative series of photos was the first step in the motion picture industry. Art inspires innovation. Let's inspire children through art so they can become innovators for the future.

Judy Sleeth, Executive Director

Atelier Success Means Art For More Students

Guests enjoyed the 3rd annual Atelier d'Artistes featuring world-renowned sculptor Fletcher Benton. MC Carolyn Johnson, ABC7 News anchor, and the 4th grade artists from Orion School charmed guests with candid comments on their artwork, inspired by Charles Demuth. Francesca Eastman, Edward Goodstein, and the Goodstein Foundation were honored for their contributions to the arts and to Art in Action. Five artists painted and shared their secrets while guests bid on private arts tours, original artwork, unique art experiences, and more. Held at the Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Menlo Park, this event raises funds to help Art in Action bring art education to more children.

Flo Oy Wong Celebrates Paul Fong

Flo Flo Oy Wong, featured in Program 8, unveiled a new work: made in usa: Paul Fong at the Euphrat Museum of Art, Cupertino, CA. "Paul (Fong, CA Assemblman) is a symbol of the American dream, which for some of us began with challenges and struggles seeded within racism and exclusion. I have hope because this country is receptive to changes that honor the contributions of our ancestors and from descendants like Paul."

Middle School Library Art Shows

See 6th, 7th and 8th grade student artwork displayed in ten San Francisco Bay Area libraries from April 5th - May 5th. Enjoy artwork created by talented young artists. Library Schedule

Art in Action, Wells Fargo and RCEF Feature Student Artwork

Thanks to the efforts of Susie Peyton and Jo-Ann Sockolov of the Redwood City Education Foundation four Wells Fargo Bank branches in Redwood City and Woodside are displaying student art from Art in Action schools next to the famous stagecoach pictures.

Parent Power Changes McKinley School

Kim Koivisto, parent of a 1st grader at McKinley Elementary in Burlingame, CA, and Jessica Watson brought the idea of Art in Action to the McKinley PTA last year. With support from principal Paula Valerio, teachers, parent volunteers and the PTA, McKinley implemented the program in September.

Refer A School And Earn $150 Credit

The school referral program is now nationwide: Refer a school anywhere in the country, and your school will earn a $150 credit towards future Art in Action purchases, if the new school signs up for our program. See details

Welcome New Hope Elementary School

school Joanne Oien, superintendent and principal of New Hope Elementary School, Thornton, CA is excited to bring Art in Action to her students, many of whom are English language learners. "Art motivates them because they can be successful and that elevates their self-esteem so they are willing to try hard in other areas," says Joanne.

Don't Miss These Museum Shows

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art -

Eadweard Muybridge in a Time of Change

Guggenheim (NY) - Kandinsky at Bauhaus

Indianapolis Museum - Gauguin as Printmaker

Dallas Museum of Art - 2011 Young Masters Competition

ARTboxes 5% Discount

Art in Action gives 5% off on early ARTbox orders. To qualify, you must pay 50% before June 1. Download the quote form. Fax it to 650.566.8319. We will compute it for you.

For Teachers and Parents

Contests for Students:

WorldWide Kids Drawing Contest

Children aged 6-17 can enter their drawings in this contest.

Resources for Teachers:

RAFT, Redwood City, CA - Vibrant van Gogh
Investigate van Gogh's art, link him to children's literature and create art projects with cross-curricular connections for your classroom. Sat., May 14 9:30am - 1:30pm

Teacher's Count

This website raises the status of the teaching profession and provides resources to the education community.

Become An Art Advocate

Arts Education Advocacy Resources from U.S. Education Secretary - Arne Duncan sent a letter to all state governors urging them to avoid making "short-sighted cuts" and specifically named "eliminating instruction in the arts" as one of the cuts to avoid.