your home of education, arts, & culture
september 2018 magazine
meet the
artists of the
2018 saint lou i s a r t fa
ir
hecmedia.org your home of education, arts, & culture
september 2018 magazine
meet the
contents
HEC Magazine
September 2018
ar ti s t s of the
20 18 sa in t lo ui s ar t fa ir
HEC-TV PROGRAMMING COLLABORATORS
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ARTS/CULURAL St. Louis Arts Experience Bach Society of St. Louis Center of Creative Arts (COCA) Commission for Access and Local Original Programming (CALOP) Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Focus St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center International Institute of St. Louis Jazz St. Louis Missouri Botanical Garden Missouri Department of Conservation Missouri History Museum Missouri Humanities Council Museum of Transportation National Endowment for the Arts National Blues Museum Opera Theatre Saint Louis Regional Arts Commission Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) Saint Louis County Parks and Recreation Saint Louis Science Center Saint Louis Symphony Saint Louis Zoo The Sheldon Art Galleries and Concert Hall CIVIC Cortex Innovation Community Missouri Bar Association St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission St. Louis Economic Development Partnership St. Louis Regional Chamber EDUCATION Archdiocese of St. Louis 22 Area Universities and Colleges Education Plus 62 Elementary/Secondary School Districts in Metropolitan St. Louis
HEC-TV leadership Alan Winkleman, Acting President Ann Terry Johnson, Secretary James L. McHugh Sr., J.D., Treasurer Wayne Goode, Member Craig Larson, Member
HEC-TV team Dennis Riggs, President Boyd Pickup, Director of Operations Jayne Ballew, Director of Programming Christina Chastain, Marketing & Strategic Partnerships Manager Amanda Honigfort, Special Projects & Programs Producer Kristy Houle, Educational Opportunities Coordinator Tim Gore, Director of Educational Initiatives
Feat. the st. louis art scene
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St. Louis is no stranger to art as hundreds of gallery events, public exhibitions, and cultural festivals grace our city every year. As the region’s leading producer of arts, cultural, and educational programming, HEC Media is your gateway to everything you need to know about the arts in St. Louis.
Magazine Design by Christina Chastain
hecmedia.org
September 2018
12/13 OPEN MIC W/president of cultural festivals, sean smothers
14/15 EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT By: Kristy Houle Educational Opportunities Coordinator
This year, schools and federal agencies will set aside Tuesday, Sept. 17 to celebrate and help our young people understand the Constitution and its meaning - and Educate.Today will be there to help!
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area events
WHO TO WATCH
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September is the busiest and most beautiful month in St. Louis, so make sure to keep track of everything going on!
SCHEDULE
It’s that time of year again -- Art Fair Season! And we’re returning with Meet the Artists and Meet Me at the Fair!
Cbabi Bayoc wants his paintings to bring hope and color to the streets of St. Louis.
hec nominated for 17 emmys
These 17 nominations, including Overall Excellence, are for you, St. Louis!
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sunday
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Monthly Planner...
St. Louis’ can’t miss events & celebrations
september
Go to hecmedia.org/events for a full listing of st. louis events and sign up for our newsletter at info@hectv.org to get a weekly update of event reminders.
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Art & Soul Exhibit 3 levels of live bands/entertainment, live painters, and interactive games. www.zack.events
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Sunken Cities Three huge statues and more than 200 ceremonial and commercial artifacts. www.slam.org
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Dark Angel A variety show of some of St. Louis’ best hidden talent, from dance, to comedy. www.thesheldon.org
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Je’Caryous Johnson Join Jacqueline Woodson, New York Times bestselling author at Central Library. www.slpl.org
Muny Memories The Missouri History Museum celebrates 100 seasons of the Muny. www.mohistory.org
Oklahoma! Oklahoma! remains as fresh and vital today as it was 70 years ago. www.stagesstlouis.org
16 Beck
17 Robert B. Parker
18 Love Never Dies
Beck has crystallized the post-modern ruckus of the ‘90s alternative explosion. www.fabulousfox.com
Author of the acclaimed Gus Murphy detective series, continues with Colorblind. www.left-bank.com
The ultimate love story of Phantom of the Opera continues. www.fabulousfox.com
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Q in the Lou The best of BBQ, music, and entertainments comes together at Kiener Plaza. www.qinthelou.com
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Shakey Graves Shakey Graves plays from its new album “Can’t Wake Up” at the Pageant. www.thepageant.com
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Full Moon Opening The Compton Hill Water Tower is open from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. on full moons. kranzbergartsfoundation.org
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Matthew Horace A Cop Reveals the Crimes, Racism, and Injustice in America’s Law Enforcement www.left-bank.com
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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Art Fair at Queeny One of the most reputable, longest-running art fairs in the bi-state region. artfairatqueenypark.com
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Painted Pieces Features vibrant, hand-painted chess sets exploding with color and invention. www.worldchesshof.org
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Ask Me Another Brainteasers, pub trivia, comedy and music in one hour of mind-bending fun. www.thepageant.com
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Saint Louis Art Fair One of the top art fairs in the nation, enjoy a weekend of art, music, food, and more! www.saintlouisartfair.com
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CommUNITY Arts The festival is a way to bring our community together to create a safer Saint Louis. communityartsfestival.com
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Illegal! The authors and illustrator sign this powerful and timely graphic novel. www.left-bank.com
19 Yvonne Osei
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Harry Potter Concert Relive the magic of Harry Potter with the music of the SLSO. www.slso.org
S. Grand Fall Fest More than 50 retail vendors, organizations, as well as craft activities. www.southgrand.org
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22 Chinese Music/Dance
Artist Yvonne Osei presents a new series of works titled Who Discovers the Discoverer? brunodavidgallery.com
Flora Borealis A nighttime only multimedia exhibition at the Missouri Botanical Garden. www.mobot.org
26 CAM Winter
27 William Shatner
Featuring Basquiat Before Basquiat, Sanford Biggers, and Williams Downs. www.camstl.org
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Gillian Welch Gillian Welch has earned widespread acclaim for her evocative sound. www.thesheldon.org
Prepare to be beamed up for an unforgettable night with William Shatner. www.touhill.org
Kopant No is a foward thinking electro-acoustic jazz quartet. music.wustl.edu
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Oktoberfest The theme for this year’s celebration is “From Biergarten to Big Top.” www.oktoberfeststl.com
Students from the Tianjin Normal University’s colleges of music and dance perform. www.touhill.org
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Ruth Asawa The Pulitzer presents the first major museum exhibition of the work of Ruth Asawa. www.pulitzerarts.org
hecmedia.org
what to watch
HEC Magazine
meet the artists of the 2018 Saint Louis art fair Get to know the traveling artists that will be showcasing their work in the Saint Louis Art Fair Sept. 7-9, 2018. Meet the Artists is our collaboration with the Fair to provide viewers with an introduction to the artists and their work. Our producers have traveled around the country to art fairs and studios to interview more than 130 artists. From metalsmiths to glassblowers to painters, we want to tell you the story behind their art. Head to our go to stlfair.com or download the Saint Louis Art Fair app to check it out!
Meet me at the fair: 25 years A documentary
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You’ve met the artists at the 2018 Saint Louis Art Fair through Meet the Artists, now meet the Fair itself and the people who put it together. At 25 years, there’s many stories behind the scenes of the Saint Louis Art Fair – from the marathon effort of a small group of dedicated staff, the family created because of a first date at the Fair, the traditions, and the all-night set-up and tear down. We’ve captured them in a brand new documentary airing on hecmedia.org and on Sunday, Sept. 2 at 7 a.m. and Friday, Sept. 7 at 11:30 a.m. on KTVI Channel 2.
Faustival This month we’ve gone in-depth with the directors behind the FAUSTival, a theatre festival based on the German myth of the character Faust. The FAUSTival was put together by five companies, who will each debut their own adaptations over the next five months. The story of an ambitious man who sells his soul to the devil is retold in various ways from a modern financial setting, to a rock musical adaptation, to a gender-flipped production with Faust as a female character. We also have the stories behind the latest exhibitions around the city. Get the inside scoop of the current events and openings in the St. Louis area on hecmedia.org.
find the full schedule at hectv.org/tv-schedule
hecmedia.org
September 2018
how to watch who to watch HEC Media is the leading producer of local arts, cultural, and educational programming in St. Louis - reflecting our mission statement, “to strengthen and promote the education, arts, and cultural communities of the St. Louis Metropolitcan area.” HEC is affiliated with the St. Louis County for Educational Media. As a three-time winner of the prestigious Station of Excellence Award from the Mid-America Emmy Association, HEC is committed to producing television designed to engage and challenge viewers, and to illuminate topics that will “Make You Think!” In addition to providing local programming, all HEC productions are available free of charge to teachers, along with corresponding curriculum and classroom materials through www.Educate.Today.
stream all programs free at www.hecmedia.org ch. 2.2 ktvi sundays ch. 989 spectrum ch. 99 at&t
connect with us twitter.com/HEC-TV
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instagram.com/hec_tv
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youtube.com/HECTV
INFO@HECTV.ORG
Cbabi Bayoc Driving around city, you’ve probably seen work by local artist Cbabi Bayoc, who wants his paintings to bring hope and color to the streets of St. Louis. Cbabi Bayoc is a self-created name that is an acronym for “Creative Black Artist Battling Ignorance” and “Blesses African Youth Of Creativity.” His work is proudly shown around the city, from the walls of elementary schools to the walls of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Each piece has an underlying theme of family, children, music, and empowerment. Bayoc is best known for his 2012 series, 365 Days with Dad, in which he painted a positive image of African American fatherhood everyday for a year. The series began as a New Year’s resolution but turned into a dialogue within the community about the importance of family and supporting children. Recently, he’s collaborated with Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, and MCA Records, but a stand-out project is his work with the St. Louis Promise Zone. “I don’t drive around St. Louis looking for public art, and I want to,” said Bayoc. “Where are the surprises?” In hope of inspiring the residents of North St. Louis through art and education, Bayoc created the Birds of Wisdom design for the free library boxes in the Promise Zone. His recurring theme of the importance of family and children is depicted by the birds representing the children in the community. “Children in the city actually have something they can relate to,” said Bayoc.
FACEBOOK.COM/HECTV
BRIDGETON, MO
You can learn more about Cbabi Bayoc and his work with the Promise Zone at hecmedia.org.
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HEC Magazine
hecmedia.org
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Arts in St. Louis
By: Celine Reinoso
Twenty-five years ago, Ben and Susan Uchitelle realized their passion for arts, culture, and creativity in St. Louis when they founded the Saint Louis Art Fair. What used to be only a few tents across a couple of streets in downtown Clayton is now one of the best art fairs in the country. St. Louis is no stranger to art as hundreds of gallery events, public exhibitions, and cultural festivals grace our city every year. As the region’s leading producer of arts, cultural, and educational programming, HEC Media is your gateway to everything you need to know about the arts in St. Louis. First on our list is the Saint Louis Art Fair. Presented by the Centene Charitable Foundation, the Fair brings more than 180 artists from around the world and more than 130,000 attendees to the heart of Clayton. From jewelry makers to metalsmiths
to mixed-media painters, the artists of the Fair have been selected and juried from more than 1,000 applicants, proving them to be the best in the nation. Weeks before the gates open and the first tent is set up, you can get to know every artist and the story behind their work through our Meet The Artists series. Each interview tells the viewer an in-depth story of the passions, processes, and inspirations of the artists. The Saint Louis Art Fair itself has an interesting story as well, and HEC is telling that story in a new documentary, Meet Me at the Fair. Focusing on the Fair’s 25th year, its founders, staff, and participating artists discuss the Fair and its impact on our community. You can view the documentary on hecmedia.org and on Sunday, Sept. 2 at 7 a.m. and Friday, Sept. 7 at 11:30 a.m. on
hecmedia.org
September 2018
KTVI Channel 2. The Fair does not only offer attendees free admission to the best artwork, but it also brings local restaurants, businesses, musicians, and performers together to truly bring the Fair to life. You can also enjoy free artist demonstrations of woodworking, ceramics, weaving, and more at the Fair. Additionally, it has launched programs that promote art appreciation and the importance of supporting artists. If you can’t make it to Clayton that first weekend in September, don’t worry because St. Louis is constantly opening new art exhibitions and cultural festivals. The oldest arts organization west of the Mississippi, St. Louis Artists’ Guild hosts workshops and art classes along with their current exhibition, For Every Negative There Is A Positive. Curated by world-renowned woodcut artist Tom Huck, the collection explores the concept of positive and negative space through different mediums. Similarly, Art Saint Louis bridges art and the community by creating original exhibitions of work done solely by local artists. By fulfilling their mission of “enriching lives through the creative activity of our region’s contemporary visual artists,” Art Saint Louis has just opened Menagerie, a collection depicting animals, beasts, and creatures real and imagined. When you think of art in St. Louis, you can’t forget the Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) at the top of Art Hill in Forest Park. Its collection includes more than 34,000 works from Ancient to Modern Art in mediums like paintings, photographs, textile, sculpture, and more. SLAM is the first in the United States to host Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds, a collection of never before seen
treasures from ancient Egypt. Be sure to see the exhibit before it closes on Sept. 9. If you’re interested in contemporary art, the Bruno David Gallery and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis are the go-to. Located not to far from the Saint Louis Art Fair, the Bruno David Gallery is home to some of St. Louis’ most innovative mixed-media contemporary artwork. Focusing on the diversity of the printmaking field, the gallery presents Yvonne Osei, Justin Henry Miller, John Howard Young, and E.R.O. until Sept. 29. Head downtown, you’ll probably come across the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM) and not even realize it. The sleek and minimalistic design of CAM is a contrast to its ever-changing collection inside. Each year, they show around six main exhibitions by both American and international artists. This year’s collection includes work by Amy Sherald, the artist behind the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama. The art of St. Louis however isn’t limited to galleries and exhibitions. For a musical and performance experience, check out Pro-Arte Saint Louis and Dance St. Louis. With concerts and arrangements inspired by Antiquity and the Medieval and Renaissance eras, the Pro-Arte Saint Louis ensemble delivers a combination of recognizable masterworks and not often heard compositions. For a more visual and active experience, Dance St. Louis offers audiences world-class performances and unique dance education outreach. It brings the full spectrum of dance, from classical ballet, contemporary ballet and modern dance to ethnic, ballroom, tap, jazz, hip-hop. Theatre in St. Louis does not go without mentioning the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Once you step into the big
brass doors, you’re hit with views of the Siamese-Byzantine interior design. The show only continues once the lights dim and the curtains rise. The Fabulous Fox offers behind the scenes tours (both regular and haunted), concerts, stand-up shows, musicals, plays, and more. The best thing about the arts is the freedom to actualize anything a creative can think of and St. Louis is home to some of the most unique and specialized creations. HEC went behind the scenes of the FAUSTival, the new theater festival surrounding the myth of German character Faust. From August to December, theatergoers can see five different adaptations of the story of a man who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge, power, and success. If you’re more in the mood for an at-home storytelling, the new podcast, Fablist, provides listeners with fully produced, scripted stories with live actors, cinematic sound design and original songs. Available on every major podcast app, Fablist has released their pilot story “Pear Blossom,” a retelling of the classic Korean Cinderella Story. And if you still crave the art fair feel, check out the St. Lou Fringe, an event for emerging artists and cutting edge performers. The festival seeks to promote the accessibility of art to developing neighborhoods and the creative and economic growth of our community. The Saint Louis Art Fair, ongoing local art exhibitions, and musical performances are just a few among many of the events that make up the rich art of our city. Be sure head to hecmedia.org so you don’t miss out on our in-depth interviews, behindthe-scenes looks and exclusive coverage of everything arts, culture, and education in St. Louis.
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Meet the
Artists
HEC MEDIA, ST. LOUIS LEADING PRODUCER OF EDUCATION, ART, AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMIng, is proud to partner with Saint Louis Art Fair presented by centene charitable foundation and be the Exclusive Media Sponsor of “Meet the Artists”, an original VIDEO series PRODUCED to increase your understanding of the 2018 artists and appreciation for their work. Meet the Artists project is a piece of art all on its own. This project entails video profiles that highlight the individual artists you’ll see at the Saint Louis Art Fair, and gives you their story, their process, and details about the artists and their work that you can’t get anywhere else. These video profiles will be available to you at the Fair in the HEC booth with touch screen kiosks (located at the corner of Meramec and Forsyth), on www.stlfair.com, and on the Saint Louis Art Fair app. Meet the Artists has proven to generate enthusiasm, educate, and benefit both the patrons and the artists, because artists and art lovers support one another! Have you bought a piece of art at the Fair and want to let your friends and family know your new and exciting purchase? Share the Meet the Artists video profile on social media! Did you see a piece of art that you’re interested in but want to come back to? Save the Meet the Artists video to your HEC website profile! Didn’t have a chance to talk to the artist personally? Are you curious about who they are and why they do what they do? The Meet the Artists project is making this possible!
How to meet the artists:
stlfair.com the Art Fair mobile app On your television Touch screen kiosks in the HEC booth at the Fair
hec nominated for 17 mid-america emmys hecmedia.org
September 2018
including overall excellence
Congratulations to all those nominated! HEC couldn't carry out its mission to "strengthen the education, art, and cultural communities in the metropolitan area" without you and all our supporters! These nominations are for you, St. Louis!
Arts/Entertainment- Program Feature Segment
informational/Instructional: Feature Segment
15 Year-Old Short Film Director Kara Vaninger
How to Spot Fake News Victoria Babu, Peter Foggy
Brock Seals: New Artist, Old Soul Suzanne Vanderhoef, Peter Foggy Jeanne Trevor, First Lady of St. Louis Jazz Victoria Babu, Peter Foggy
Arts/Entertainment - Program/Special State of the Arts Kathy Bratkowski, Paul Schankman, Jayne Ballew, Julie Winkle, Nancy Pasternak, Jacqui Poor, Sandra Olmsted, Peter Foggy
Interview/Discussion -Program A Jellyfish Journey with Juli Berwald Angie Weidinger, Greg Kopp, Julie Winkle, Christina Chastain
Public/Current/Community Affairs - Feature/Segment Hope in the Baking Angie Weidinger, Peter Foggy
Interstitial
Education Schools
Schankman's St. Louis: Randy's Rescue Ranch Paul Schankman
Schankman's St. Louis: What is Your Hope? Paul Schankman
Theatre of the Deaf Returns to STLCC-FV Paul Langdon
Historic/Cultural - Program Feature Segment
Program Promo -Single Spot or Campaign (Non-News)
The Legacy of the Black Cowboy Taunia Mason, Peter Foggy, Rick Rubbelke
A New Leaf Trailer Paul Schankman
Sacred Art in Sand: Buddhist World Peace Mandala Kathy Bratkowski, Peter Foggy
Writer: Program/Program Feature (Non-News)
Human Interest - News Single Story/Feature
HEC-TV Paul Schankman
Schankman's St. Louis: The Jewish Santa Paul Schankman
Overall Excellence
Human Interest - Program/Special
HEC-TV Dennis Riggs, President
Impact: November 2017 Aleta Harris, Greg Kopp, Nancy Pasternak, Julie Winkle, Taunia Mason
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HEC Magazine
hecmedia.org
sean smothers n e p O ic: M president, cultural festivals
the art of waiting
here’s a clock on top of a tall, four-drawer file cabinet in the office. It’s not your standardissue timepiece. It has its similarities: there are numbers and it does work on a time-based rhythm. But, it’s different in that it doesn’t tell time in the traditional sense. It’s a countdown clock—a digital box with a tally of each day, hour, minute and second ticking away to zero.
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The countdown clock the first thing I see every morning as I enter the office. I didn’t put it there; it was a vestige from a prior Executive Director of Cultural Festivals. It holds significance to every staffer and volunteer who enters our doors; it’s often the first thing noticed and commented on by visitors. With each tick and each steady decrease of second, minute, hour and day, it’s an ever-present reminder of the work we do each day and why we do it. I joined Cultural Festivals in March of 2018, and that’s often the first question that people ask me: What does Cultural Festivals do? Or, if I was to rephrase the question: when it comes to the countdown clock, what happens when the clock strikes zero? Cultural Festivals is the organization that produces the Saint Louis Art Fair, presented by Centene Charitable Foundation. More
specifically, as the clock counts down to the second weekend in September each year, we’re steadily preparing, promoting and building. The focus is steady: for the 181 artists from around the world and
130,000 visitors we will see over the three-day weekend, how can we showcase the St. Louis region as a premier arts destination? There’s no one answer to that question.
It starts with the philosophy that was first cast 25 years ago when the Saint Louis Art Fair was founded: we are an advocate for the artist. A good example of this is how our jurying process has changed throughout the years. Many people may not know about the detail and precision that goes into the jurying process that makes an event like ours possible. Nearly 1,200 artists apply to the show annually (1,199 in 2018). After taking into account the artists who return to the show after winning an award the year prior, applying artists are competing for 131 available spots. Artists can tell you that the process to apply to high quality art fairs can be challenging; but jurying and artist selection is emotionally draining (for both artists and jurors). As a matter of fact, the jurying process (which typically takes place in April of each year) takes longer than the Art Fair is open in September. And our goal each year is to assure transparency of the process to the artist and quality for our patrons. We do that by offering the opportunity for artists and the general public to attend the opening rounds of jurying to see the process for themselves.
hecmedia.org
September 2018
13 Another aspect of the Saint Louis Art Fair that may surprise you is the number of volunteers who run the show each year. As the weekend plays out, more than 1,000 volunteer shifts are filled, with work ranging from making sure artists have what they need to set up and tear down. Many of the volunteers who will participate in our 25th Saint Louis Art Fair in 2018 were on board for first in 1994. Again, artists remain central to our mission, and Art Fair volunteers help assure that the artist experience remains second-to-none. Volunteers truly own the Art Fair, and they are the ones who assure that St. Louis shines as the premier arts destination that we are. Speaking of long-term partners, sponsors and funders play a key role in assuring the sustainability of this cultural jewel. Many of our supporters have been with us since the Saint Louis Art Fair opened its doors in 1994. And, it’s not only
their financial support, but their partnership in many forms, including in-kind donations and volunteers. In addition, dozens of not-for-profit entities (from both the Arts and Social sectors) pitch in by bringing world-class entertainment to three music and performance stages, projects to the children’s Creative Castle area (a must see for the young and young-at-heart), staffing to the beverage and concessions booths and multiple other roles. In partnership, we focus on the attendee experience, each year seeking ways to make the event a consistent, yet new and exciting experience for attendees to experience. Over the past 25 years, we’ve watched families grow up at the Art Fair. Children who first came to the event in 1994 are now bringing their children to take part in this interactive arts experience. We believe that our cultural promise to the St. Louis community is to
assure that children who attend the Saint Louis Art Fair this year will have that same opportunity: to bring their children to the event 25 years from now. Our theme for this year’s event on September 7, 8 and 9—Perpetually in Motion—is a recognition of exactly that. It’s a look back in acknowledgment of our artists, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and founders. We build a city within a city— literally overnight—for artists to come and showcase their life’s work. We welcome 130,000 patrons to our doorstep. And then, after three days, we tear it down and start all over again. The countdown clock continues its forward momentum, itself perpetually in motion. And, as the clock continues to count down, we excitedly await the arrival of the artists, the volunteers, our partners and patrons in three … two …
HEC Magazine
hecmedia.org
constitution day 14
with
educate.today By: Kristy Houle, Educational Opportunities Coordinator
hecmedia.org
September 2018
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit around a table with people like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and James Madison as they drafted the Constitution of the United States? What an exciting time in history that must have been, and what an influential group of men they were. Although James Madison is often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution,” due to many of his ideas making it into the document, the Constitution was the result of months of passionate, thoughtful ideas from many important contributors. As these delegates convened in Philadelphia to create a “more perfect union,” the country’s Constitution was crafted. They worked to create a framework that would provide balance and freedom considering federal and state interests as well as individual human rights. The delegates signed the Constitution of the United States on Sep. 17, 1787 - and by May 1790, the Constitution was approved by nine of the 13 states. Now, each year on Sept. 17, we celebrate these historical events by displaying the United States flag and partaking in community and school-wide activities to educate and acknowledge the great work of these men and the important document that we still hold dear today. But is it enough? Unfortunately, a recent survey from McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum tells us that Americans know more about “The Simpsons” television show than they do the First Amendment. Other studies have come to the same conclusion. Too few Americans - particularly young people - understand our Constitution and the civil rights we sometimes take for granted. Due to these studies, Constitution Day is undeniably one of the most important days of the year to celebrate. This year, schools and federal agencies will set aside Tuesday, Sept. 17 to celebrate and help our young people understand the Constitution and its meaning - and Educate.Today will be there to help! Beginning with a morning session and continuing sessions throughout the day, Educate.Today will offer schools and classrooms an opportunity to interact live with experts, educators, and other students on topics such as: origins of the First Amendment, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press. Each session will include discussions with experts, questions from students, and in-depth dialogue relating to these topics. During the first session a judge, attorney, and/or
professor will be available live to talk about the First Amendment rights, why and how they came about, why they are first and how they have evolved, and past cases and challenges. Students participating in this session will be given an opportunity to ask questions and share thoughts about the topic. During the second session, students will be involved in discussions with experts concerning free speech rights, how courts determine the line between what is acceptable free speech and what is not, real-life examples and school-related examples. Teachers can choose to sign up for all sessions throughout the day, or just those that fit into their schedule the best. If an afternoon time works better for a classroom, Educate.Today will have plenty of interesting experts and topics for those sessions as well. The afternoon sessions will include discussions with experts concerning freedom of assembly and petition of redress of grievances, how courts balance these rights with others and the practical implications of these rights. Students will also be given opportunities to react to reallife and school-related examples during these times. The afternoon sessions will begin after lunch and continue through the end of the school day. Educate.Today is excited to be a part of your celebration of Constitution Day this year! For more information on Constitution Day 2018: The First Amendment sessions, check out the Educate.Today website at www.educate.today, or email us at info@educate.today.
Future Educate.Today Interactive Programs
make a difference day october 18, 2018 learn about organizations making a difference in your community and how to start your own community service project
military appreciation november 14, 2018 talk to veterans and current serving military men and women. also, find out what’s it’s like to be a part of a military family.
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