Guest speaker AnnRene Joseph.

On February 9, the Lopez elementary school will play host to the “Celebration of the Arts” evening. Held in the school’s multi-purpose room from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. the event is family friendly with all ages and all community members welcome. The event is designed to be fun, dynamic and inspiring and features guest speaker AnnRene Joseph. Program Supervisor of The Arts, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Joseph is passionate about her beliefs that art incorporated in all aspects of education, is essential. She asks that we ponder the following approach when considering the value of the arts to the community; “Your life is an artwork in progress”. Further to this, she believes that a person’s identity, their actions and how those actions are carried out, have a great potential and importance in the art of a community. She sees that people have the potential to touch the future through who we are, using the arts, to communicate values and beliefs. In her lectures, to support these thoughts, she has quoted author Eric Jensen, “the most significant learning occurs when emotions are integrated with instruction because all body systems are united. The arts are strongly linked to emotions, enhancing the likelihood that students will remember something.” The mission statement of ARTS, from OSPI is, “The Arts’ communicating and integrating life, literacy, and learning, through experience for all learners.” AnnRene will show examples of how the arts integrated into math, social sciences and reading curriculums, can allow for a more comprehensive understanding amongst students. She has a favorite saying by Emily Dickinson, “Dwell in the possibility.” This is her approach when assisting school districts in providing a meaningful art education to its students.

This event is sponsored by OSPI, the Lopez School District and the Lopez Island Family Resource Center. Any questions about this event should be directed to the Lopez Island Family Resource Center at 468-4117.