EnCana gives $5000 to Pinedale Fine Arts Council
For Educational Enrichment Residencies
by EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.
November 15, 2008
The Pinedale Fine Arts Council (PFAC) received a $5,000 donation from EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. to support the Educational Enrichment Residencies for elementary, middle and high school students in Big Piney and Pinedale schools.
The PFAC presents cultural and arts residencies, workshops and performances that promote creativity and attract people of diverse interests, backgrounds and age groups. EnCana’s donation will go toward artist fees, materials, travel and housing for five extended classroom workshop residencies.
"The Pinedale Arts Council brings outstanding art and cultural programs to the schools and the communities in Sublette County and we want to support that effort," said Randy Teeuwen, EnCana community relations advisor. "These programs expose students to creativity in ways that will benefit them the rest of their lives."
"We take artists to both school districts based on the requests of their principals and teachers," said Jo Crandall, PFAC development director. "Artists are chosen based on their artistic quality, their teaching skills and the content of their programs."
In addition to EnCana, the PFAC has received funding for the artist in residency program from School Districts #1 and #9 Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) and the Wyoming Arts Council Artists In Education program. Funds are also being allocated from the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation grant, the Sara Taylor Swift Foundation and donations from individuals and businesses. EnCana has supported the PFAC since 2003.
"Pinedale and Big Piney are very small, remote communities, 80 miles from the next biggest community," said Crandall. "The opportunities for students to interact with different artists are very limited. By providing extended residencies for the schools, we are able to give students one-on-one time with artists which gives them a glimpse into other career options, new ways of thinking, and encourages their own creativity in all endeavors."
Each residency is designed by the artist and the school district to include as many disciplines of the total curriculum including history, math, science, social studies, reading, physical education, literature, music and visual and performing arts resulting in an integrated learning experience.
"Teachers are aware of the elements of each residency so that they can reinforce each other and the different disciplines," said Crandall. "The staffs of the schools feel that bringing in an artist focuses students’ attention on disciplines and complements various learning approaches. The staff also benefits by learning new teaching methods from the visiting artists."
Teachers and workshop leaders monitor the residencies and measure skills gained against district outcomes and standards. "We ask for feedback from students, teachers and administrators on the teaching effectiveness of the artists," said Crandall. "We also ask if they feel the project achieved the goals of acquiring new skills, acquiring new knowledge, increased awareness of the use of multiple skills, and if it promoted awareness of creativity, artistry and problem solving."
The Tears of Joy Puppet Theater puppeteers recently spent two days with the Big Piney 3rd grade and three days with the Pinedale 3rd grade. Students learned the role of storytelling to preserve culture, listening and understanding a story, puppet design and construction, interpretation of the character for performance, listening and speaking skills, fine motor skills and coordination of speaking and movement.
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