As the academic year winds down, educators are returning items to the Giertz Education Center that they borrowed earlier this semester. We love seeing and hearing the great ways teachers use the art objects and education materials they receive from the Center.
Ed Center Helps with DHS International Festival
The Education Center staff was busy this week reshelving over 90 art and cultural objects that were used at the first annual Danville High School International Festival on Friday, April 17.
Suzanne Berkes, teacher at Danville High School, and Jeremie Smith, from the Center for Global Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, selected art objects and poster prints from the Education Center collection to create an International Cultural Museum at DHS. Some of the objects were using in immersion rooms or workshops.
During the event, more than 900 high school students and 200 community members visited the International Cultural Museum between noon and 8 pm. According to Mr. Smith, “For many students at DHS, the event marked their first in-depth experience learning about diverse cultures, non-European languages, and seeing the connections between their own community and the increasingly globalized world.”
The event featured educational exhibits, international foods, and an evening of entertainment that included music and dance performances by local students from Global House at DHS and students from the University of Illinois.
Looking Ahead to Summer
More art objects from the Giertz Education Center will be borrowed soon by the Decatur Arts Council for the International Arts Experience on Chile and Argentina. This exhibition will be held from June 5 through July 30 at the Madden Arts Center in Decatur, IL.
Giertz Education Center Summer Hours
Educators wishing to borrow objects or other resources from the Giertz Education Center between May 29 and mid-August, should contact me at verickso(at)illinois.edu or call 217.333.8218 to arrange an appointment.
The Giertz Education Center will resume its regular schedule on August 17, 2015.
We welcome teachers to come in as you plan lessons for fall.
Enrich your classroom with a little art; we're happy to show you how.
