Marshall County Arts Commission, Marshall County Schools and Family Resource Centers,
and Karen Balzer, Very Special Arts, KY. Dept. of Education, Murray State University
Present “Splash of Art” Youth Art Show and “The Lion King” Arts Festival
May 6 – 17, 2019
Benton— May 6, 2019 — During the next two weeks at the Children’s Arts Center in Benton, the Marshall County Arts Commission (MCAC) in partnership withthe Marshall County Schools will present the “Splash of Art” Youth Art Show, grades KG-12. The public is invited to view the showcase during the hours of 10:00 to 4:00 Monday through Thursday of each week and there will be an open house on Friday, May 17 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM for everyone.
On Monday, May 13 and May 14 at the Arts Center and during the showcase, the LION KING Arts Festival will be held for students invited by the Family Resource Centers in the county. This festival is in partnership with Karen Balzer, Murray State University, representing Very Special Arts (VSA) Kentucky. She wrote and received a grant for this festival from the Department of Education that will pay for instructors and supplies.
The Lion King festival will target 3rd and 4th grades. Ninety students each day will participate in three workshops during the morning consisting of dance, visual arts and storytelling from 8:45 AM to 11:45 AM. The classes will be followed by a short performance just before noon and then they will enjoy a sack lunch. The public is invited to see the performance each morning at 11:45 AM.
Chris Fortenbery, Elementary Art Director, has worked with MCAC for several years to present the annual Youth Art Show. She has been instrumental in getting the Arts Festival to happen this year.
We especially appreciate the work of Karen Balzer from Murray State University in seeing that the Arts Festival was funded and offering this wonderful opportunity for our students.
Others helping with arrangements included MCAC’s Vicki Dowdy, Vicki Madison, and Patty Coakley. In addition to working on the steering committee, the transportation for the arts festival students is being provided by the Family Resource Centers in the county directed by Crystal Byers, Calvert/Sharpe, Melissa Elrod, Benton/Central, and Melanie Pratt, Jonathan/South Marshall. Abby Griffy, Instructional Supervisor and Rita Walton, Transportation Director for Marshall County Schools also helped with logistics of the project.
Marshall County Arts Commission strives to bring quality art experiences to our community. We appreciate all who have helped in making the numerous arrangements necessary to offer the opportunity of using the Children’s Arts Center to celebrate the young artists among us in the “Splash of Art” Youth Art Show and “The Lion King” Arts Festival.
You are invited to the festivities:
May 6-17, “Splash of Art” Youth Art Show 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM
May 13-14, “The Lion King” Arts Festival 8:30 AM to performance at 11:45 AM
May 17, Open House 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM