MUSEUM
NEWS
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Board of Education n Dec. 13, 2001,the museum's education department honored Arts in Education in the New York City public schools with special guests Harold 0.Levy, chancellor of schools; Joan Firestone, special assistant to the chancellor; Nancy Shankman,director of arts education; Hollis Headrick, executive director of the Center for Arts Education; and approximately 70 district superintendents, arts coordinators, and dedicated teachers. Director Gerard C. Wertkin welcomed guests to the museum's spectacular new home and emphasized the museum's educational mission. Diana Schlesinger, director of education, introduced valued partners such as Ellen Kirshbaum, director of arts education for the alternative high schools and the Center for Arts Education, and discussed current initiatives for educational programs and partnerships with the museum. Joan Firestone spoke
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Day Without Art about the rich opportunities that the new museum building offers for public school teachers and students. Attendees enjoyed touring the new museum,and special emphasis was placed on how museum collections foster positive development and learning experiences for students.
n Nov.30, 2001, the American Folk Art Museum hosted its annual Day Without Art at the museum's Eva and Morris Feld Gallery. Luna Luis Ortiz, an artist living with AIDS in New York City, presented an educational mixed-media film he created to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. Karyn Kay's Creative Writing class from LaGuardia High School attended the event. In conjunction with the film, Ortiz talked about his personal experiences with HIV and AIDS as well as the meaning of his artwork—from a means for self-expression as a teenager to a way of spreading awareness as a young adult. Following the film, students from the class asked Ortiz questions about starting his career as a young artist. For information on next year's Day Without Art program, please contact the museum's education department.
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Gerard C. Wertkin and Joan Firestone
Brooke Davis Anderson with Harold 0. Levy and Joan Firestone
Winter's Eve Celebration at Lincoln Square n3,2001, more than 700 visitors attended a concert at the American Folk Art Museum's Eva and Morris Feld Gallery. Lincoln Square shops, restaurants, and cultural organizations remained open late for a special evening of exceptional performances,dining, children's entertainment, and discount shopping during the second annual Winter's Eve celebration,following the lighting of the Lincoln Center holiday tree. The Feld Gallery's participationin the Winter's Eve celebration was coordinated by Gallery ManagerDale Gregory. Irish-born musician Susan McKeown per-
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formed songs written by her and influenced by the rich cultural heritage ofIreland and the urban landscape of Manhattan. Joining McKeown for parts of her soulful sets was Scottish fiddle legend Johnny Cunningham. The evening was part of a national tour to promote the artists' collaborative album of traditional Celtic songs, A Winter Talisman. Most of the guests were from Manhattan, many from the Upper West Side. Among them were neighbors, Frank McCourt (author of the acclaimed memoir Angela's Ashes), local 20th Precinct police officers, and Lincoln Square Business Improvement District officials.