Community Invited to Participate in Mandala Art Project

The Board of Education is asking community members, civic organizations and local students to attend a Community Mandala Art Project on Wednesday night.

The project is being funded with part of a $9,600 grant that Oxford schools recently obtained to enhance artistic opportunities. The grant specifies that part of the money be used to allow townspeople and students to create a project together.

"It is my personal hope and the board’s intention that the community project is one that will bring us together to create a mandala to represent each of us, as individuals and as a united group," said Rose McKinnon, school board chairwoman. "This project will be hung in the , representing our community coming together with art."

The event, which is free, will be held in the cafeteria from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Read the letter below from art teacher Karen D Giannamore to McKinnon for more information about the art grant.

Dear Chairman McKinnon,

In early fall I sent you a note to let you know that as a result of your support and the support of the Board of Education, I had been invited to participate in a grant partnership with Young Audiences of CT., VSA Arts and CVS/Caremark. The award ceremony and weeklong conference you allowed me to attend in Washington, D.C., in June of 2010 not only enriched my teaching experience for our students both with and without disabilities in the arts, but it also allowed me an opportunity to network with many individuals about our art program. Corporate representatives from CVS were impressed with the dedication the Board of Education, the staff and our community has continually demonstrated to ensure that all students are provided with an art-based education. VSA Arts executives, Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith and Commissioner of Education Arnie Duncan personally told me that once our school was part of their “family,” we would not be forgotten.

As you are aware, true to their word, I was contacted several months ago by our local affiliate for VSA arts, Judith Mortensen. Judith stated that VSA Arts wanted to partner with them in applying for a $5,000 to $15,000 grant, which would promote an artist in residency program in which all students would participate. In addition, the grant would provide for a community component in order for the townspeople and our local students to work side by side to create a work of art to hang at a place to be determined in Oxford. I completed the grant application with Mrs. Mortensen, and it was submitted to CVS for consideration. Oxford PTO generously committed $2,000 for the in-kind portion of the grant.

I have just been notified that we have received a $9,600 grant award. I am honored that you have committed to partnering with us to take on the community aspect of this endeavor. It is our intention that the community project is one that will bring together the students of Great Oak School, the Oxford Board of Education and members of the community to create a mandala to represent each of us as individuals and as a united group. The artist in residency program will take place for the school children from April 4-8 at. The community mandala project will take place at Oxford High School on April 6 at 7 p.m.

Sincerely,

Karen D Giannamore