Arts Celebrated in Port Chester Schools

Thank you to the Port Chester Council for the Arts for submitting this information:  The Port Chester Council for the Arts (PCCFA) celebrated the sixth annual NATIONAL ARTS IN THE SCHOOL DAY on June 6, 2013 in conjunction with the Port Chester School District.

NATIONAL ARTS IN THE SCHOOL DAY inspires teachers and schools to unleash their creativity and explore interdisciplinary collaborations with colleagues, as well as members of their community.

 Founded by the PCCFA to shine a light on the critical role of the arts in education, the inaugural event was held on April 16, 2008 in Port Chester with actress Jane Alexander, former chair of the National Endowment of the Arts, and Academy Award-winning director Chris Wedge. 

This year, Arts for All Galleries were on view in each school, featuring the original visual art, poetry, music and craftwork of students, teachers, support staff, custodians, administrators and parents.

The day’s highlights included the first district-wide speech competition for fifth graders; creation of Green Art and a celebration of watercolorist Brigitte Loritz at Park Avenue School; a student-version of the Sistine Chapel and a visit from local artist Paul Rively at Edison School; hip hop dancing and cartooning at King Street School; and the production of Frog Cinquain Poems and a performance of the one-man show “Luigi’s Story” about Port Chester sculptor Luigi Del Bianco, the chief carver of Mount Rushmore, by his grandson storyteller Lou Del Bianco at John F. Kennedy Magnet School. At Port Chester Middle School, students spent the day exploring the work and life of Leonardo Da Vinci.

The PCCFA’s annual Arts Advocate awards were presented to artist/educator Brigitte Loritz and musical artist Cindy Moore, both of Port Chester, in recognition of their work furthering the cause of arts in education. The two artists were honored at a PCCFA reception at the Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center in Rye Brook attended by representatives of the Port Chester school district, village trustees, teachers, members of the community and their families. 

NATIONAL ARTS IN THE SCHOOL DAY is an extension of the successful 16-year-old Literacy Through the Arts program created by the Port Chester Council for the Arts. This model, innovative program for K-5 students employs 15-20 visual and performing artists yearly in a variety of multi-week residencies, which coincide with New York State standards. 

To learn more about NATIONAL ARTS IN THE SCHOOL DAY, visit www.nationalartsintheschoolday.org.

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Founded in 1981, the Port Chester Council for the Arts is committed to providing high-quality, innovative programs that build and encourage cooperation and community through artistic experience, and inspiring an appreciation of creative expression and new ways of thinking.