GREAT EXPLORATIONS PRESS ROOM
For Immediate Release
March 10, 2010
Contact: Hannah Dahm, 727-821-8992 x221
hdahm@greatex.org
The Kids’ Guernica Peace Mural Project
The Great Explorations Children’s Museum will serve as host to The Kids’ Guernica Peace Mural Project from March 5 – April 26, 2010. Over the past 15 years artists, arts administrators, art teachers, community activists and children from all over the world have cooperated in a concerted effort to construct world peace thorough the creation of community murals. The expression of peace is unique, locally specific and relevant to each area. The entire collection contains hundreds of murals from over 40 countries painted by children of the world. The original Guernica was Picasso’s expression of disapproval with his paintbrush on canvas of the brutality of bombing during the Spanish civil war in 1937.
The six murals on display include: The Chicago Mural: People of the World; Peace through Abstraction from Athens, Greece; The Japanese Mural with Cherry Blossoms; and three from Baltimore/Nepal, France and Australia.
In a dialog, the children, ages 6 – 22 answered guiding questions such as: Why are borders important? What would happen to the world if countries had no borders? What happens to borders when there is a war? They created their own journals prior to visualizing and creating pictures related to the main topic. Finally they work as a team painting together to complete the 12 x 24 feet mural.
Hannah Dahm, art program specialist at Great Explorations and Americorps service member is the motivation behind this exhibit and a workshop that will take place March 26 - March 28, 2010. The St. Petersburg Peace Mural will be created under Hannah’s watchful eye during the weekend. As an intern at Florida State University, she participated in a workshop (commemorating the 15th anniversary of the peace mural project) which involved 14 schools and 2000 students as they integrated 14 panels to create a single mural.
Dahm feels, “Great Explorations is a natural place to have the kid-based Peace Mural Project. I was so touched when I helped with the program in Tallahassee, and wanted to bring that experience to the youth of Pinellas.”
Overseeing the entire project, Hannah will help children develop their ideas of peace and translate them to images. Through discussion, they will explore the process and then create the material. She will guide the children as they learn how to work cooperatively as a team.
Shelly Lee, Great Explorations AmeriCorps program director says “Hannah brings diversity to the program and the gift of unbridled talent. This will be an amazing workshop for the entire community.”
The Kids’ Guernica Peace Mural Project
Exhibition: on display March 5 – April 26, 2010
Great Explorations Mural Project
Workshop March 26-28
Friday 4 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday 9:30 am - 4 pm
Sunday 11 am – 4:30 pm
This weekend workshop is open to children of all ages. Lunch will be served Saturday and Sunday. Although there is no cost to participate in the workshop space is limited and reservations must be made in advance.
Exhibit and workshop will be held at:
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
1925 4th Street North, St. Petersburg FL 33704
727.821.8992
Resources:
Kids Guernica; Published by Florida State University; Museum of Fine Arts, College of Visual Arts , Theatre & Dance 2009.
Kids Guernica International Children’s Peace Mural Project
www.kids-guernica.org/
http://www.peacemuseumguernica.org
http://poieinkaiprattein.org/
http://www.peacewaves.org/it/index.php
http://panasonic.net/citizenship/
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Archive: Spring 2010 Newsletter
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2009
Contact: Julia McAllister, Director of Education & Exhibits
727.821.8992 x 211 jmcallister@greatex.org
Limited Engagement: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at Great Explorations
The yellow brick road leads to a new 1500 square foot interactive exhibition opening for a limited engagement at Great Explorations Children’s Museum from December 5, 2009 to January 8, 2010. The exhibit is based on the book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. Visitors will have the opportunity to step into the storybook pages as they learn about science, art, and history against the backdrop of the first American fairy tale. Created by Great Explorations, the exhibit will travel for the next 5 years throughout the country before returning “home”.
The timeless tale, which was written in 1900 by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow, caused a national sensation that lead to 13 sequels over the next 20 years. Brought to life in many forms, the story in its new traveling exhibition format is a larger than life pop-up book which dazzles the eyes and stimulates learning though creativity, play, and exploration. The character building display asks children and accompanying adults to ponder and discuss questions. There is also a full complement of educational programs that celebrate integrated learning across the curriculum both for the general public and educational visitors.
Attendees will be part of the piloting and evaluation process of the exhibit as they experience activities such as: collecting and counting eggs on a 1900 farm, encountering tornadoes and studying the science of the vortex, and meeting puppets of Oz with a message of tolerance. The Tin Woodsman introduces physiology of the heart, while Scarecrow allows visitors to pick his brain!
Produced and developed by Great Explorations Children’s Museum of St. Petersburg, the exhibit is designed and fabricated by Bruce Barry’s Wacky World Studios of Oldsmar, Florida. The exhibition has been endorsed by The International Wizard of Oz Club and The L. Frank Baum Family Trust and produced with assistance from scholars, collectors, and enthusiasts who advised on its development. This exhibit was made possible by a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Exhibit: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Dates: December 5, 2009 – January 8, 2010
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 AM – 4:30 PM; Sunday Noon – 4:30 PM
Location: 1925 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg, FL 33704
A section of the exhibit will be at the Clearwater Public Library Dec. 12 – 18.
Admission: $9 General admission; $8 Ages 55 and up; no charge for children under 2
Website: www.greatex.org
Phone: 727.821.8992
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2009
Contact:
Angela Walters (c) 812-394-5270
waltersangelam@gmail.com
Julia Tripp (p) 727-821-8992 Ext. 227
jtripp@greatex.org
CHILDREN’S RECORDING ARTIST, RED GRAMMER TO PERFORM AT
“BE BOP YOUR BEST” EVENT AT SUNKEN GARDENS AMPHITHEATER
St. Petersburg, Fla. (October 18, 2009) – Character Development of Tampa Bay (CDTB) presents “Be BOP Your Best”, on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Great Explorations Children’s Museum and Sunken Gardens. The fun, family event features games, activities and music to promote positive character and values that encourage kids to “be their best!”
Special guest performer, children’s recording artist, Red Grammer will present a sing-a-long concert in the Sunken Gardens Amphitheater at 1:30 p.m. Known as one of the premier entertainers of children and families in America, Grammer will perform songs from his Grammy-nominated album, “Bebop Your Best.” Red’s irrepressible sense of play and respect for children make his songs of oneness, character, conflict resolution and community beloved by kids across the globe. This performance will highlight the fun and meaningful messages of the day.
“With the growing concern in the nation over youth violence and safety, we feel this event is very timely and hope to raise awareness about building important values and conflict resolution skills in children at a young age,” said Clark Jordan-Holmes, CDTB executive chair. “Grammer’s music aligns perfectly with the mission of Character Development of Tampa Bay in cultivating strong values and good choice making skills for children. We are thrilled to have Red perform and to complement the excitement and activities of this event.”
Great Explorations Children’s Museum and Sunken Gardens will offer a special event ticket to include admission to attractions, all added activities and the Grammer concert: $12 children, $13 seniors and $15.50 adults. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit future CDTB programming for individuals, children and educators in the Tampa Bay area.
Character Development of Tampa Bay is a non-profit, social and economic development organization. It was created to inspire individuals, teachers and institutions to recognize and embrace positive values and virtues in all people, and to instill a desire to use these gifts to help children in personal growth and social interaction. CDTB is partnering with Great Explorations Children’s Museum located in St. Petersburg in an effort to help further CDTB’s mission.
For more information please visit www.characterdevelopment.org or www.greatex.org.
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For Immediate Release
August 27, 2009
Great Explorations Children’s Museum Awarded Access to Artistic Excellence Grant by the National Endowment for the Arts
St. Petersburg, FL – The grant award for $10,000 will help support a major arts-based project which will partner Great Explorations Children’s Museum with VSA arts of Florida, area artists, and the Pinellas County School System to create a traveling arts education exhibit which will tour the County’s elementary schools for four years. The project also includes a museum art studio exhibit, artwork displays, and arts activities for Pinellas County residents and visitors.
Great Explorations Executive Director Alan Kahle states: “We are proud and excited to get this stamp of approval from the National Endowment for the Arts. The award marks the museum’s progression from a largely science-based institution to a well-rounded children’s museum. The onsite art studio exhibit will be a great educational tool not only for visiting groups and families but also for children who attend daily programs such as our national-award-winning preschool/pre-kindergarten which was developed in partnership with VSA arts of Florida and area arts educators.”
Access to Artistic Excellence grants support the creation and presentation of work in the disciplines of dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literature, media arts, museums, music, musical theater, opera, presenting, theater, and visual arts. Projects include commissions, residencies, workshops, performances, exhibitions, publications, festivals, and professional development programs. This round of funding also supports grants to local arts agencies for multidisciplinary projects, such as community-wide festivals, public art commissions, and artist residencies.
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established, bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases. For more information, please visit www.arts.gov.
Great Explorations Children’s Museum serves more than 200,000 children and family members per year through exhibits and programs. To learn more about Great Ex, please visit our website at www.greatex.org.
Great Explorations Contact:
Executive Director Alan Kahle, 727-773-6685, akahle@greatex.org
NEA Contact:
Paulette Beete,
202-682-5601, beetep@arts.gov
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For Immediate Release
August 27, 2009
Great Explorations Children’s Museum Wins Parents' Picks Awards 2009
St. Petersburg, FL - From May 5, 2009 to July 15, 2009, parents from all over the country voted for their favorite local family-friendly places. The votes have been tallied, and Great Explorations Children’s Museum is the 2009 winner!
Votes were cast at Nickelodon’s Parents Connect web site which named Great Explorations Children’s Museum as “the spot that exhibits the coolest kid-friendly culture in town."
View the Parent's Connect winner's page.
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For Immediate Release
August 21, 2009
Great Explorations Children’s Museum Awarded Prestigious Grant
from the Institute of Museum and Library Services
St. Petersburg, FL - Thanks to a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Great Explorations will build The Wonderful Wizard of Oz exhibit, based on the books by L. Frank Baum. The exhibit will be prototyped at the Museum and, once it is completed, the exhibit will be hosted by cultural sites across the country.
Great Explorations Children’s Museum Executive Director Alan Kahle says “This project launches our new touring exhibit program which will promote literacy and reading among children and families, raise our visibility throughout the nation, and provide an opportunity for new revenue at a time when nonprofits are really struggling to bring cultural experiences to the community.”
“By making it their mission to provide the public with top-notch programming and knowledgeable staff, the 2009 MFA grantees have demonstrated that they know what is important to their communities. In 2006, 156 million U.S. adults visited museums 1.2 billion times, in person and remotely. These numbers prove that museums, like this year’s MFA recipients, are vital institutions that play a significant role in people’s lives.”
- Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Program Statement
Museums for America is the Institute’s largest grant program for museums, providing more than $19 million in grants to support the role of museums in American society to sustain cultural heritage, to support lifelong learnin; and to be centers of community engagement. Museums for America grants strengthen a museum’s ability to serve the public more effectively by supporting high-priority activities that advance the institution’s mission and strategic goals.
Museums for America funding will support projects and activities, designed by the institution, that strengthen museums as active resources for lifelong learning and key players in the establishment of livable communities. Museums for America grants are designed to be flexible. They can be used for ongoing museum activities, research and other behind-the-scenes activities, planning activities, new programs or activities, purchase of equipment or services, or other activities that will support the efforts of museums to upgrade and integrate new technologies into their overall institutional effectiveness.
Vital Statistics:
Number of applications received: 433
Number of awards made: 167
Total amount awarded: $19.2 million
Total amount awarded to Great Explorations $150,000
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.
For more on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz exhibit, visit the Great Explorations Children’s Museum exhibit page at www.greatex.org.