May 6, 2009

Gala event to help bring Learning through the Arts to School District No. 23

KELOWNA, BC: Studies have shown that students are happier and more engaged in their studies when art in various forms is embedded in the learning experience.  Learning Through the Arts (LTTA) is an organization that brings painters, filmmakers, actors, musicians and other artists into classrooms giving students a chance to use creative approaches to understanding the curriculum.  Currently, some schools have used the LTTA Remote Program, which brings trained artists from Vancouver.  John McMahon, Principal at Glenmore Elementary, is one of the educators trying to establish a Central Okanagan chapter of LTTA involving local artists.  

“Learning Through the Arts is an exciting concept that has been shown to be very effective,” says McMahon. “Think of how challenging it would be for a child to learn 26 letters without the ‘alphabet song’.  Music is just one of the forms of art used in LTTA to make the curriculum interesting and meaningful.  Unfortunately, the cost of bringing artists to the Okanagan from the Lower Mainland limits our opportunities to use the program.  The silent auction and concert on May 14 at the Kelowna Art Gallery will help us establish a local LTTA program.  Once we have reached our fundraising goal, we will be able to offer interested teachers a 3-day training session and begin bringing the passion and vision of local artists to our classrooms.”

The gala event fundraiser on May 14 at 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Kelowna Art Gallery will feature jazz piano by Neil Wong, vocal group “Voices Unlimited’ and the Glenmore Elementary choir singing songs of Africa.  More than 80 amazing items are available in the silent auction including artworks by Janet Crema, Z. Huang, and others, pottery, glassworks, tickets to Ballet Kelowna, Okanagan Symphony and much more.  Among the one-of-a-kind items are Swarovski crystal wine goblets once belonging to Prince El-Hassan bin Talaal from Jordan, an autographed script from television host Bob Barker and an autographed copy of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth.  Tickets are $10 and include a glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres.  Tickets can be purchased in advance from Glenmore Elementary or on the night of the gala at the Kelowna Art Gallery.

“There is no limit to the subjects that can benefit from LTTA; even math and science can use LTTA,” says McMahon.  “This program is also a way of giving back to the arts community by employing artists and fostering a love of the arts in our students and staff.”

“Thank you to all the people who have donated items to our silent auction and to those who will be providing musical entertainment at the gala event.  We are hoping for a great turnout to make this program a reality in our community.”

Approved by the Superintendent and John McMahon on May 6, 2009

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For comments, please contact:

John McMahon, Principal, Glenmore Elementary (250) 762-3209

Mike Roberts, Superintendent of Schools (250) 860-8888

For background information, please contact Lisa Harrison lharriso@sd23.bc.ca or 470-3284.