Gonzalez Elementary Student Presents Art to U.S. Representative

Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School art teacher Julie Blasingame and Principal Bob Fonseca (far right) join fifth-grader Jessica Dueñas in presenting original artwork to U.S. Representative Charles Gonzalez, 20th District-Texas (far left) at the dedication ceremony for the new Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School.

During the dedication on January 20, U.S. Representative Charles Gonzalez, 20th District-Texas, presented a U.S. flag requested years ago by his father, the late Henry B. Gonzalez, to Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School Principal Bob Fonseca.

The Sakura Dancers of Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary performed at the new school's dedication on Saturday, January 20.

Students' families reviewed displays of class work during the reception at the new Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School.

Weaving in Circles

Jan Alexander, art teacher at Withers Elementary, includes weaving each year in her lesson plans. “I believe that the benefits are many,” says Ms. Alexander. “It helps my students learn to concentrate and it calms their spirits. They love to socialize and weave like they are in a quilting bee, and they feel a real connection to other weavers and other cultures throughout time.”

Yarn for the projects comes from a variety of sources -- churches, garage sales, retirement communities, parents, community members, and even teachers. Readily available looms -- coat hangars, straws, cardboard, heavy paper plates, and even tongue depressors -- like those in these pictures, make the project affordable and fun.

Ms. Alexander encourages art teachers everywhere to embrace weaving in their art program. “Try it, they will love it,” she says.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Adrian Gonzalez of Peeler Elementary won 1st place in the Elks Club Drug Free Art Contest. Congratulations to Adrian and his teacher, Janice Taweel.

State YAM Show Art Selected

Congratulations to the following students and their teachers. Their artwork was selected to represent Dallas ISD in the jurying for the State YAM Show in Austin. We DO NOT know if any of our entries will be selected for the 100 piece YAM show, but I will let you know - good or bad - as soon as I receive the information. -- Janice

• Frank Alex Juarez, The Dragon In The Kitchen, 2nd Elem. Art, Eladio R. Martinez Elem., Mary Jo Gardere

• Hajra Bibi, Rhythm Tracks, 10th, Bryan Adams HS, Kristin McCloskey

• Ofelia Gonzalez, Crystal Clear, 7th 4376 Art, E.D. Walker Middle Sch., Pernie Fallon

• Bianca Smith, Mamas Thanksgiving, 7th, Zumwalt Middle Sch., William Hannon

• Giselle Hernandez, “A Boy Alien,” Kinder Art, H.B. Gonzalez Elem., Julie Blasingame

• Abigail Brown, Cooking Still Life, 6th 9923 Art, E.D. Walker Middle Sch., Pernie Fallon

• Nallely Mancilla, Yummy Good Food, 2nd Elem. Art, Eladio R. Martinez, Mary Jo Gardere

Skyline Takes Top Honors at Young Metroplex Talent Art Show

Every year in January, Mountain View Community College sponsors the “Young Metropolex Talent” High School Art Show. The show features artworks from both public and private schools. This year, the show ran from January 16 – February 2, 2007 in the Kiva Gallery, which is near the school’s art studios. Molina High School, Sunset High School, and Skyline High School represented Dallas ISD in this year’s exhibition. Each participating school submitted four works -- either 2-D, 3-D, or a combination of both.

This year the judges decided that instead of giving awards for individual work, they would look at each school’s work as a team effort. This year’s juror, humanities Professor Janice Franklin, said that she looked at the individual strengths of each art work as well as how all the art worked together to strengthen each other or explore a common theme.

Ms. Franklin selected the work submitted by Robert Ostrowski at Skyline Center as the school that best met her criteria. Skyline submitted a coil pot, two metal sculptures, and a Styrofoam figure sculpture. She liked how all the work showed movement and fluidity.

For winning, Skyline received the Fetty Visual Art trophy to display for one year at the campus. Student winners received a basket of art supplies, gift certificates to Chili’s, gift certificates to Landmark Theatres, tickets to Dallas Museum of Art, and tickets to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Each student also received a written appraisal of their work that included the names of artists the students should look at for influence.

The show was small this year but Ryan Fitzer, gallery coordinator at Mountain View, hopes more schools will enter next year. If you are interested in this show for next year, contact Ryan Fitzer by phone, 214-860-3649 or e-mail rfitzer@dcccd.edu. To view pictures of the exhibit, visit http://www.mountainviewcollege.edu/gallery.

Drinking Water Week Poster Contest

The 2007 Drinking Water Week Poster contest is underway. This year’s theme is “Drip, Drop, Drought.” All Dallas-area students in grades 1-5 are eligible to enter. Entries must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2007. For rules and entry forms, contact derinda.stewart@dallascityhall.com, or (214) 243-1174.