Local, area schools receive Picturing America Awards
By S. ALEXANDER GEROULD
POSTED: June 22, 2008
Some of the United States’ greatest artistic masterpieces will soon be coming to several area schools and libraries.
As part of a initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, 26,320 school and public library recently received Picturing America Awards. The awards attempt to help with the instruction of American history and culture by bringing art pieces directly to classrooms.
‘‘Works of art are more than mere ornaments for the elite; they are primary documents of a civilization. A written record or a textbook tells you one thing, but art reveals something else,’’ said Bruce Cole, National Endowment for the Humanities chairman, in a statement. ‘‘Our students and citizens deserve to see American art that shows us where we have come from, what we have endured, and where we are headed.’’
Schools and libraries receiving awards will receive 40 reproductions of the art pieces and a resource book for teachers. Delivery of the items is expected in August.
Area schools receiving the award include Brocton Central School, the Brocton Elementary library and the Brocton High School media center; Cassadaga Elementary School, Cassadaga Valley Middle and High School and Sinclairville Elementary School; the Dunkirk Elementary School 3 library and the Dunkirk Middle School library; Falconer Junior-Senior High School; the Fredonia High School library; Frewsburg Junior-Senior High School and Robert H. Jackson Elementary; the Gowanda Middle School library; St. Joseph School in Gowanda; the Jamestown Seventh-Day Adventist School; Jefferson Middle School; Southwestern High School and the Southwestern Elementary School intermediate library; Chautauqua Lake Central School; North Collins Junior-Senior High School; Panama Central School; the Randolph Academy library; Sherman Central High School; and Pine Valley Elementary and the Pine Valley Junior-Senior High School John Jachym Memorial Library.
The village of South Dayton’s library also received a grant.
More opportunities to obtain the Picturing America award for schools and libraries will begin in August. To apply for the program, visit PicturingAmerica.neh.gov between Aug. 4 and Oct. 31
