2009 Artist in Residency Awards

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. - Through a generous sponsorship by Chase Bank, the Tippecanoe Arts Federation with support of the Indiana Arts Commission is pleased to announce the following 2009 Artist in Residency Award Recipients: Frankfort Community Public Library, Tipton County Public Library, Delphi Public Library, Seeger Junior-Senior High School, Happy Hollow School, Purdue University Child Development and Family Studies, and Prairie Crossing Elementary School.

Each artist residency was designed to place trained, knowledgeable, practicing professional artists into settings where they can share the joy and benefits of the creative process with others. In school settings, residency artists provide a meaningful and inspiring curricular connection while exposing students to a unique arts experience.

Paired with a public performance component, the Tipton County Public Library, Partnering with the Tipton County School system, will bring regional history to life through the musical artistry of Traveler’s Dream as they perform and tailor age-specific educational programming to elementary and middle school students. Library administrator, Renda Hurst, is excited to “expose school children and adults to not only the regional history that is revealed, but also to diverse musical styles that they may not otherwise encounter.”

Delphi Public Library, also utilizing the experience and quality of Traveler’s Dream, looks to “encourage participants to listen to and appreciate musical styles…and be inspired by adults who have chosen to pursue music as a profession and life passion.”

Jazz will come to life for both school and community as professional jazz musicians descend upon Williamsport, Indiana’s Seeger Jr. Sr. High School. In addition to guest artist lectures, in class demonstrations, and public a performance, area high schools will be invited to enjoy the jazz music idiom. Director of Bands, Dan Peo, is pleased to provide this opportunity to his students, stating “it is rare for our students to be able to experience something like this in a live setting.”

Jennifer Gray and Morgan Asay of Happy Hollow School will expose their school to the fine art of mural painting utilizing the talents of Jeff Hagen. Educating students about the process as well as incorporating their ideas, the artist will provide both “a much needed art highlight to the school” and “lasting memory for the students.”

Utilizing one of the most treasured of community treasures, students from Prairie Crossing Elementary of Oxford, Indiana will explore the Frank Lloyd Wright designed SAMARA house through both tour and in-class artist demonstrations, projects, and discussion.

Serving both preschoolers and educators through the theme “Celebrating Families”, The Department of Child Development & Family Studies of Purdue University will enlist the help of an artist to work with young children “to create new art that will promote a feeling of community” to be displayed in their new building. Dr. Elicker hopes to “enrich…preschool curriculum and teacher expertise in creative arts and aesthetics.”

The Tippecanoe Arts Federation is the umbrella organization and arts council for fourteen counties. TAF provides educational opportunities in the visual, performing, and literary arts, outreach programs for both underserved communities and at-risk youth, and funding for operational expenses to fellow arts organizations region-wide.