Imaginary Rodeo Student Exhibit Press Release

For Immediate Release
Rockwell Museum of Western Art
111 Cedar Street, Corning, NY 14830

Date: March 31, 2010

Contact: Beth Manwaring â–ª 607.974.4254 â–ª manwaringb@rockwellmuseum.org

The Imaginary Rodeo: Fourth Grade Student Exhibit at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

CORNING, NY - Throughout the 2009-2010 academic school year, the Corning-Painted Post Area School District's fourth grade students and teachers created artwork for a 3-D installation at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art called The Imaginary Rodeo. Elementary art teachers designed this project in conjunction with the Rockwell Museum's Education Department. First, students learned about art associated with the American West, nature and rodeo. Then, they explored the roles of imagination and perspective as they created rodeo-themed objects to contribute to the exhibit. Each of the five elementary art teachers (some work at two schools) were assigned one environment of the space to populate with scenery: underground, underwater, above ground, in the air or outer space. Students and teachers knew which environment other classes were working on, but they were not exposed to their counterparts' work during the course of the project. The art teachers assembled the full installation at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art late this month, and the exhibit will open with a reception for the students and their families on Thursday at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. for the student artists and their families. The exhibit will be on view at the Museum from April 2 through May 31, 2010.

Jim Horton, art teacher for Erwin Valley and Lindley-Presho Elementary Schools, commented, "It has been a fun project for the kids. They learned about the rodeo, it's history, the different events, etc., and then used that knowledge and interest to create a unique rodeo of their own. I cannot wait to see the final results."

The Imaginary Rodeo will be on display until June 13, 2010. Through the Museum's school tour program, many of these fourth grade students have visited the Museum with their classrooms in Kindergarten, second and fourth grades and are very familiar with the Museum's permanent collection depicting the American West.

"I have worked with many school districts over the course of my career, but never have had the pleasure of working with such a talented and dedicated group of art teachers who are willing to work so enthusiastically on one collaborative work of art," said Gigi Alvare, Director of Education at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art.

"The partnership between the Rockwell Museum of Western Art and the Corning- Painted Post Area School District provides students with an opportunity over the course of the school year to study works of art that brings greater understanding and insight into their core curriculum subjects. The Museum is incredibly grateful for the support of our Arts in Education sponsors, which allows the Museum to provide school tours at no cost to the district," Kristin A. Swain, Executive Director.

About the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art is located in the center of the Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York Sate and in the heart of Corning's Gaffer District. The Museum is open to the public seven days a week; hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Membership to the Museum includes yearlong free admission. For more information, please visit us online at www.rockwellmuseum.org.

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