FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 13, 2009                                                      

Show at Museum of Young Art Features Arts in Mind Partnership

What: "American Change: from Slavery to the Presidency" - show of photos and other work created by Van Duyn Elementary students with photographer Brantley Carroll
When: Artist Reception March 21, 12:00 – 2:00 pm. Show runs through April 6.
Where: Museum of Young Art, 1 Lincoln Center, corner of W. Fayette and S. Clinton Streets

If you could become an inspirational historical figure, who would you choose? How would becoming that person, even for a few moments, affect you?

In a new show at the Museum of Young Art, students take on the personas of inspirational historical and current figures to truly immerse themselves in history.

The project, "American Change: from Slavery to the Presidency," features written, spoken and photographic illustrations of key figures and events in US history created by 4th grade students at Van Duyn Elementary. The work was inspired by and created in collaboration with CNY photographer Brantley Carroll.

There will be an artist reception on March 21, 12:00 – 2:00 pm at the Museum at 1 Lincoln Center, corner of W. Fayette and S. Clinton Streets in Syracuse.

Carroll worked with the students in a similar process to the one he used for his acclaimed project "The Whipping Post," which examined the slave trade by casting contemporary Americans in portraits of historical figures.

The partnership with Mr. Carroll is just one of the many arts-based learning projects that are happening this year at Van Duyn, which is one of six Syracuse City School District (SCSD) schools participating in the Arts in Mind initiative. Arts in Mind is a collaboration between schools, cultural organizations and funders that is working to make it easier for teachers in all SCSD schools to bring the arts into their classrooms as a way to strengthen student engagement and achievement.

The show runs from March 9 through April 6th, and the museum is open Tuesday – Friday
10 am – 6 pm , and Saturday 10 am – 3 pm. There is a suggested donation of $4 for adults, $3 for students.

You can read more about Arts in Mind at www.artsinmind.net.

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