Art:21 presents a diverse group of artists working in America today to enlarge the definitions and comprehension of contemporary art. By making contemporary art more accessible, the series affords viewers and students the opportunity to discover their own innate abilities to understand contemporary art and to explore possibilities for creative thinking and self-expression.

Art:21 Educators is a year-long professional development initiative designed to cultivate and support K-12 art educators interested in bringing contemporary art, artists, and themes into their classrooms. This year the Besant Hill School has been selected as one of three schools in the country to be part of this program. Over the summer, Lucia Vinograd traveled to New York City for a 5-day workshop where she worked with Art:21 staff, visiting artists, and guest presenters to develop a familiarity with contemporary art and artists as well as learn strategies for integrating related themes and working processes into the classroom. She has returned with units of study for the subsequent academic year and will be using Art:21 films and educational materials along with museum and studio visits as part of the program. Art:21 documents teacher participation and related classroom teaching in an effort to record and share best practices with other educators. 

We hope that you might attend this event and learn more about this exciting program and discover how the Besant Hill School and the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts are utilizing the arts to further the mission of the Happy Valley Foundation.  

Saturday, November 14, 2009 3:00 - 6:00 pm Opening Reception for Two Exhibitions:   Fred Yokel: Jestures in the Beato Gallery Art in the Family: Works by Ben Wilson, Evelyn Wilson,  and Joanne Jaffe In the Logan Gallery These exhibitions will continue through December 27, 2009. The Opening Reception on November 14th will also include a trunk show featuring jewelry designer Will Brown. The jewelry designs of Will Brown are based around the stones that attract him personally and much of his time is spent searching the world for the unusual shapes and cuts of stones that he treasures. Vibrancy of color is another key factor in the vivid, original designs for which he is known.  "Cultures over the centuries have identified certain metaphysical properties associated with precious and semi-precious stones," Brown says. "I tune into this energy source as I design - the result is what you see in my line of jewelry.

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Thank you for your continued interest and support!