The first session of the drawing with Dixon Leavitt workshops was this Wednesday. The class was totally packed and it was really fantastic.  Teachers learned more about how to access the right side of their brain, and why drawing helps us actually become smarter.  We learned that drawing is all about understanding relationships and that you can draw anything as long as you remember ASAP (angle, size and proportion.)  Can't wait 'til next week!

The Cedar City Music Arts are offering wonderful matinees for our school children this year.  The following events are available for the following grades:

3rd Grade:
November 4, 2009 10:00 a.m.  Elena Urioste ,violin Robert Thies,  piano

5th Grade
January 29, 2010 10:00 a.m.  Cathedral of the Madeleine Choir 

4th Grade:
March 24,  2010 10:00 a.m.  Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company
 
2nd Grade:
April 22. 2010 10:00a.m.   Yuki & Tomoko Mack Duo Pianists

Schools have the opportunity to attend a multicultural dance festival sponsored by the SUU Ballroom Dance Company. This festival is a multi-cultural showcase that will give your students a chance to experience unique and diverse cultures through the heritage of dance.  The performance is $2 per student and will be held at 10 a.m. on November 13 at the Heritage Center Theatre.

Highlights: American Swing, Argentine Tango, Spanish Paso Doble, Hip HOp and Breakdance, Polenesian, Japanese, Chinese, Native American and many more.

Included for schools that sign up is a multicultural assembly, where participants ot he World of Dance show will come and teach the children about diversity, culture, immigration, and the make-up of their society with many other fun activities.

Contact Mark Baker to reserve space for your students. bakerm(at)suu(dot)edu

We have new information about the Dixon Leavitt drawing workshops. They each have a different theme. We recommend attending all three. Download the flyer for more information.

Sept 23: How to See
Sept 30: How to Know
Oct 7: How to Pull it All Together

We have some great professional development opportunities available to elementary teachers this year through artsFUSION at SUU.  These will all be workshops that you won't want to miss.

DRAWING WITH DIXON LEAVITT THREE WORKSHOPS
Sept 23, 30 and Oct 7, 2009
4:00 TO 6:00 P.M.
Cost: Free
SUU Emma Eccles Jones Education Building
For elementary teachers
Learn the very basic art skills to be able to draw the human figure, use perspective to create the illusion of space, and drawing from observation to improve your confidence in your artistic abilities. Dixon, a talented Cedar City artist, will lead quality lessons and teach with references to a "Whole New Mind" by Daniel Pink as to the value and virtue of learning to draw.

DANCE AND HISPANIC CULTURE WITH MONICA GOMEZ ROGERSON
October 26, 2009
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
SUU Emma Eccles Jones Education Building room 105
For elementary teachers
Monica Gomez Rogerson has been teaching Mexican Folkloric Dance for over ten years. She has studied and performed in the United States and Mexico and is currently Creative Director for the Gomez Mexican Folkloric Dancers of Salt Lake City. Schools find that this residency is a valuable tool for teaching Hispanic students pride in their cultural heritage. At the same time, it gives students of other backgrounds an opportunity to learn and appreciate another culture. Monica is very proud of her rich heritage, and in a positive way, promotes understanding and appreciation of her culture.

COMICS IN YOUR CLASSROOM WITH RICHARD JENKINS
January 11, Iron Springs Elementary
January 12, North Elementary
January 13, South Elementary
January 15, Fiddlers Elementary
9:30 - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
For elementary teachers
Since earning his BFA from the University of Oklahoma, Richard Jenkins has pursued the realization of his childhood dream: to create comics. In 1996, he began his career as the illustrator and co-creator of the nationally published comic book series, "Sky Ape." Classroom teachers can learn strategies that integrate these art forms into their Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies curriculum. They learn new ways to encourage their students, unlock their higher-order thinking, and teach them the Core Curriculum. Drawing concepts include working with line, shapes, and patterns to show gesture and emotion. Explore individual creativity and develop visual literacy. Four one-day workshops at four schools. Lunch and drawing supplies are included.