School Districts, Credit Unions, Calendars, Art, Books and Generosity

For 33 years the Silver State Credit Union has partnered with Clark County School District, the fifth largest in the county, to hold an art contest. The use the images to create a calendar. Here is the link to the flier for the most recent contest. For the first time, both partnered with the UNLV College of Education to hold a reception for the winners. 

It was a great event and a nice, public way to recognize the winner. The students attended with their parents and family, their teacher, and fanfare.

I was invited to the event shortly after returning from the annual NCTE convention. I immediately thought of Sandra Neil Wallace. During the convention Between the LInes: How Ernie Barnes went from the Football Field to the Art Galley, written by Sandra Neil Wallace and illustrated by Bryan Collier won the Orbis Award. I thought this years award went to a book that is about a man who loved both football and art. The book is described:
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Ernie Barnes’s decision to choose a career in art over professional football offers readers a model of masculinity, a pathway for following one’s passions, and a window into the Black Is Beautiful movement.

Too often, we don't celebrate the professional possibilities of the arts. Anyone who knows Sandra can tell you how excited she was to winner and if you don't just look at the photograph below. It has been my please to present and work with Sandra and Rich Wallace several times over the last few years.

As I thought about the event, I approached Sandra who put me in touch with one of the marketing people at Simon and Schuster and Paula Wiseman Books, Sarah Woodruff. When Sarah heard about the event she help make 13 copies of Between the Lines available for the winners. It is a generous offer from Simon and Schuster and a great way to add to the celebration of the art and these wonderful artists.

It was fun to talk with some of the winners. I explained a bit about the book and took a few pictures for the blog. All of the winners are listed at the Silver State Schools Credit Union announcement. Unfortunately, I had another holiday event to run of to before the night was over. Next year, I will schedule it first and spend more time with the winners. Below you can get a glimpse of some of the winners with the book and their art. 

In the meantime, I invite you to look at the other work of Sandra Neil Wallace and Bryan Collier. Two people who are making their way in the arts: one as a writer and one as an artist.

Until next week.