Animation Students Debut Sleeping Bear Dunes Film Project at Visitor Center

Date: August 14, 2007
Contact: Lisa Myers, 231-326-5134

Students from The Art Place (TAP), a non-profit animation studio in Suttons Bay, will debut the film project they created about Sleeping Bear Dunes at the Visitor Center here on Tuesday, August 21, at 4:00 p.m.  The film’s unique title, “wwwww.sbdnl.tap”, is not a website address, but was derived by the TAP students after they spent a week at the Lakeshore learning the “Who, What, When, Where, and Whys” of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s dune ecology and history.

Sixteen members of TAP spent a week outside exploring the natural and cultural surroundings of the National Lakeshore, then spent just as many hours inside editing and creating the 10 ½ minute movie, which is a collection of five animated films. After spending a week in one of the Lakeshore’s historic farms, Kate, from Suttons Bay, remarked, “I loved being a park resident for a week.  It was very different than being a day visitor.”  Twelve year old Andrew liked exploring the dunes at night and going to North Bar Lake.  Everyone went on trails they had never hiked, swam at beaches they didn’t know were part of the National Lakeshore, interacted with National Park Rangers, and worked on answering in a very creative way the  'Who, What, When, Where and Why' questions about this national park site.

“This was the first time the Lakeshore had ever welcomed a group of artists to work together on a project,” said Superintendent Dusty Shultz.  “We are anxious to see what they created and excited about the piece of work The Art Place will donate to the Lakeshore to share with future visitors.”  Some of the participants remarked on how much fun they had working together so intensively to complete an entire project in such a short period of time.  The experience of living in the park, away from phones, television, and email, helped the students focus their creativity, and make lasting connections with each other and with this special place. Most of the talented team of animators and instructors will be on hand at the premiere to answer questions and talk about their experience.  Copies of the DVD, which also includes extra behind-the-scenes footage and a short slideshow of the farm they stayed in, will also be available to benefit The Art Place.  Come and see Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore from a kids’ perspective! All are invited and the event is free.

For more information on TAP and its programs, go to www.theartplace.org.  For more information about Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, explore our website or call the Visitor Center at 231-326-5134.