FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1998
As part of a partnership with Madison's arts community, Mendota Elementary School is displaying a collection of rare Japanese art, which is on loan to the school from the Madison Art Center.
Mendota's art room has been transformed into the "Madison Art Center Mini Museum," featuring the collection of six traditional wood block prints and one brush drawing. The display is used to educate and inspire students as they create their own relief prints and other art projects focusing on Japanese culture.
The display is part of a unit of study on Japan that integrates art, music, language arts, social studies and science. As part of the unit, fourth and fifth grade students will attend a performance of the play "A Thousand Cranes" at the Madison Civic Center on Wednesday, October 14. After the play, students will tour the Madison Art Center, which is currently hosting an exhibit by Japanese artist Ray Yoshida.
Fourth and fifth grade students will then work together to fold 1,000 origami cranes, which will be displayed in the halls at the school. The play "A Thousand Cranes" was inspired by a young girl whose faith in a traditional Japanese belief that folding 1,000 paper cranes makes wishes come true convinced her that if she folded 1,000 cranes she would not die. After her death, the origami cranes became a symbol of peace and her story was told in a book and the play.
Mendota's music classes also will be listening to and performing music from Japan. The school's Japanese artist-in-residence, Chie Voeltz, will perform for classes and work with students. Mrs. Voeltz started working with Mendota students back in April, playing the koto and choreographing a dance for students to perform. She also assisted in a school production of a Japanese folk tale that included music and dance.
Mendota Elementary School is located one block off Northport Drive on Madison's northeast side at 4002 School Road.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Richard Davis
Mendota Elementary School
246-5070
Customer Service Office
545 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-6270
email: mmccabe@madison.k12.wi.us
Last Modified: 10/12/98
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