Encana donates $8,000 to PFAC
To promote art education and cultural outreach in Sublette County
by Pinedale Fine Arts Council
December 11, 2012
Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. contributed $8,000 to the Pinedale Fine Arts Council (PFAC) to support a year-long, culturally diverse arts program and high quality education project. Through the grant, Sublette County residents will benefit from arts education in the schools, a season ticket performing arts series, a free summer park series and arts outreach in the communities.
"Encana salutes the PFAC’s effort to bring art enrichment programs to Sublette communities and schools. These programs help students gain new perspectives, encourage their creativity and build a lifelong appreciation for the arts," said Randy Teeuwen, Encana USA community relations advisor. "We are pleased to continue our collaboration with the PFAC in developing and preserving the cultural fabric in our communities."
"Arts education is fundamental to our mission. Encana’s grant allows us to present several school residencies, now integrating Big Piney schools, and host our first month-long visual arts exhibit in both county libraries, featuring "Termespheres" by Dick Termes," said Dana Tully, PFAC executive director.
A few of these residencies have already occurred. Dick Termes, who paints optical illusions on spheres using a geometrically based six-point perspective system, also led a residency with high school geometry and art students in Big Piney, along with high school and middle school art students in Pinedale.
The Jackson-based Dancers’ Workshop performed week-long residencies each for Pinedale Elementary, Pinedale Middle School and Big Piney Elementary. "We’ve been partnering with the Dancers’ Workshop for 16 years, and this is the first time we’ve brought them into Big Piney," said Tully. "We hope to eventually expand the program to cover grades K-9 like we do in Pinedale."
A poetry residency with Jackson-based poet Matt Daly was also held for Pinedale 9th and 11th graders. In the spring, Daly will conduct a debate workshop in Pinedale Middle School and a poetry workshop for Big Piney 11th graders. "This is the first year for the debate workshop, as requested by a language arts teacher in Pinedale," said Tully. "By working with teachers, we are able to bring artists into the community whom the teachers feel would benefit their students; not only supplementing and enriching their curriculum, but also helping teachers meet state educational standards."
Upcoming residencies include: Australian storyteller and musician Paul Taylor who will conduct a weeklong total immersion in Australian aborigine culture with the Pinedale 7th grade, and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival which will conduct week-long photography, poetry and film residencies in the Pinedale and Big Piney elementary schools.
"We’d like to thank Encana for their investment in educational and cultural outreach activities in our county," said Tully. "Your donations have made it possible for PFAC to not only expand our programming, but also our reach into our smaller and more isolated neighboring communities. We sincerely appreciate your continued partnership and support."
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