Young Auditorium provides support for artist in residence at Janesville school

November 20, 2008

Artistic programs play an important role in students’ lives. Although morally valued, economic weight is decreasing in many local governments. That’s why the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Young Auditorium is partnering with Lincoln Elementary School in Janesville, Wis. to support the Mobile Residency Project with artist-in-residence Kevin Reese Nov.17-20. Reese’s residency is part of Lincoln’s 50th anniversary celebration.

The Young Auditorium is providing financial assistance for the program along with the Dorothy Remp Elmer Children’s Arts Outreach endowment. Young Auditorium’s educational outreach coordinator, Shannon Dozoryst, is working with Lincoln Elementary staff to ensure the success of the project. “This is a great collaborative effort for both the Young Auditorium and the Janesville School District,” she said.

Lincoln staff members include Rodonna Amiel, principal, and art instructor Todd Miller. “This program will help students build a better connection to their world,” said Amiel. “It’s great for the school and the Janesville community.”

Reese worked with more than 60 Lincoln Elementary School students and teachers to design a large-scale permanent sculpture to mark the school’s 50th anniversary. Like many of Reese’s works, the sculpture is a mobile made of wood and metal.

In addition to helping build the sculpture, Reese will give a solo theatrical performance of “Apollo to the Moon” at the Young Auditorium 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 21.

For more than 25 years, Kevin Reese has brought his enthusiasm for theater and the visual arts to thousands of schools, performing arts centers, museums and international festivals. His Mobile Residency Project was born when a principal asked if her students could design and build a permanent piece of public art for their school. Reese now presents School Sculptures, three innovative opportunities for students, teachers and members of the community to participate in the arts. The project is celebrated both nationwide and abroad.

For more information contact Shannon Dozoryst at 262-472-1432 or Dozoryss@uww.edu.