|
Former Columbine teacher to discuss healing through the arts BOWLING GREEN, O. -- Former Columbine High School art teacher Barbara Hirokawa will relate her experiences with "healing through
the arts" at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, in the Little Theatre at the Toledo Museum of Art.
The public is invited to attend Hirokawa's free presentation, which is part of the Arts Unlimited Basic Workshop offered by
Bowling Green State University's Continuing Education, International & Summer Programs.
Hirokawa taught for 28 years at Columbine High School in Colorado and was there in 1999 during the tragic shootings of several
students. Since then, she has dedicated herself to "healing through the arts."
Through presentations, student shows and speeches she has shown many students and adults the healing power of the arts. After
the tragedy of 9/11, she ventured to New York City to help schools cope with the tragedy. In her own words, she helps "...students
use art and writing to begin to heal, and to use all of this to begin my own healing." During her presentation in Toledo,
she will show slides of the students' work.
Arts Unlimited, which is hosting Hirokawa's presentation, has worked with area teachers using the arts to enhance learning
for the past 20 years. Through the program teachers explore curriculum ideas with artists and teaching artists by probing
specific works of music, dance, theatre and art. Arts Unlimited students then attend professional artists' performances and
visit the museum during the school year.
Teaching artists work in the classrooms to help students creatively investigate the process and meaning of these works of
art. The shared experiences develop critical thinking skills and lead to lifelong attachments to the arts and to learning.
Teachers of all grades and subjects can enroll in Arts Unlimited for graduate credit. For enrollment information, call 419-372-8181
or toll-free, 1-800-650-8165.
(Posted June 01, 2003 )
|
