Now in its eighth year, the K-12 Public Art Project connects visual art students and teachers with professional teaching artists in the area to create an outdoor public art piece for display at the Flint Hills International Children's Festival. Each year, students research a theme and art form, learn about the art form's tools and materials, design a project, and create a final work, under the expert instruction of their arts specialist at school and professional visual artists. Students, teachers, and artists involved in the project docent the work and engage Festival-goers in hands-on demonstrations. This year, Webster Magnet School of Saint Paul Public Schools and Burroughs Community School of Minneapolis Public Schools will work with artist and composer, Philip Blackburn, to create a sound sculpture. Past projects include the Copper Tree in 2003, the Clay Masks in 2004, Copper Kiosks in 2005, Mosaic Benches in 2006, and the Chagall Village, Sumi-e, and Bridgeview Kites in 2007. Past projects are displayed at the Festival each year in the Sculpture Garden. Read Philip Blackburn's blog about this year's project, Sonic Playground The K-12 Public Art Project is sponsored by Delta Dental and the Minnesota State Arts Board.
—a blend of visual art, theater, and music—that showcased both performances and allowed for Festival-goers to try out the tones on the stone lithopone, balloon bassoons, and rumble strip. Performances by Burroughs Community School and Webster Magnet showcased student compositions during the week. Thanks to Peter Hofmann, Janel McGreevy, Jan Louise Kusske, Jonathan Hess, and Philip Blackburn for leading students from the two schools through such an unforgettable experience!
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