News Release

Student Art Exhibit Inspired by Aaron Douglas Opens for First Friday Artwalk

Date: October 1, 2012

Contact: Joan Wilson
Phone: [phone]

Topeka, KS - An exhibition of student art inspired by Aaron Douglas will open as part of the First Friday Artwalk at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 5."The Ray of Hope" consists of quilts and murals created by fourth graders from Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet School and eighth graders from Liberty Central Middle School in Lawrence in collaboration with quilt artist Marla Jackson. The First Friday event and the exhibit are both free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display at the museum through October 28.

Williams fourth grade student Xavier Benham will also be recognized at the First Friday event. Xavier's artwork was selected as one of two pieces to represent the state of Kansas at a national exhibition at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington D.C. Over 3,000 students, ages 5 to 15, submitted artwork that addressed Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech and the question: "What Inspires Me?" Only 102 pieces were selected for exhibition, including Xavier's. The exhibition in Washington D.C. will be displayed until the end of October.

The Williams student-artists were also participants in an after-school program called Families Empowered by Additional Teaching of Students (F.E.A.T.S.). The F.E.A.T.S. program seeks to increase academic outcomes for children in low performance schools through exercise, healthy snacks,and experiential learning activities. The program is a partnership between Williams Magnet School and the YWCA and is made possible by a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant. Each Friday students participate in after-school programs at Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, including sessions with the park's Artist-in-Residence, Marla Jackson. Artists like Ms. Jackson translate the national park's purpose,as a place that preserves our nation's struggle for equality, into images and projects that bring a deeper understanding of the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education to youth.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site tells the story of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended legal segregation in public schools.The site is located at 1515 SE Monroe Street in Topeka, Kansas, and is open free of charge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with the exceptions of Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. For more information call 785-354-4273 or go to www.nps.gov/brvb or visit us at www.facebook.com/brownvboardnps.