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 Hanoman, the white monkey seen here as a wayang kulit or "shadow puppet" appears in the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, often fighting with the giant Rawanna in the eternal battle between good and evil. –Photo: Mike Dana  The four Panakawan, or clever clowns, are among the most beloved characters in both Hindu and Javanese epics. They are recent introductions to the epics and often comment humorously on the political imbroglios of the day. –Photo: Mike Dana  Barry Dana watches while Leta Hallowell, Ashley Hooper and Anthony Murphy practice quiet stalking. PDF of this Article (2.7MB) |
THE MAINE ARTS COMMISSION is seeing early and positive results from the ten pilot sites chosen for the first year of the new Arts in Education in the Community Grant program. The new program offers a grant of $10,000 that assists schools, arts institutions and community arts organizations in conjunction with Maine artists to develop arts in education programs that support and expand full access to learning in and through the arts for
pre-K-12 students. The program moves beyond funding only classroom based activities and additionally supports planning for arts access, investigation and integration.
The Denmark Arts Center, one of the ten sites chosen, is offering a unique residency that provides an opportunity for students in western Maine to increase their awareness of other cultures through the arts.
The Denmark Arts Center's project focuses on both the study of shadow puppet creation based on relevant stories, and
shared performances with elementary students as both puppeteers and audience. The Denmark Arts Center will host a performance by Figures of Speech Theatre's "Asian Tales," and an exhibit of Indonesian shadow puppets from the collection of Mari Hook.
Mari Hook, Director of the Denmark Arts Center, explains, "I collected puppets not only to learn about the history of the art form, but to see how the tradition is being passed on to future generations of artists. I'm very happy to be passing along my collection to Figures of Speech Theatre - what better guardians of their heritage than John and Carol Farrell, whose knowledge and talents can introduce a new puppet tradition in Maine, and in the process illuminate the culture and artistry of the Indonesian islands and the richness of their shadow world."
Figures of Speech Theatre's Ian Bannon will lead the classroom workshops, while Mike Dana, Denmark Arts Center's Artist-in-Residence, has photographed the complete puppet collection, and will create a film showing both the depth of the project and the responses of students, teachers and artists to the project.
The North Haven Community School (NHCS) also received the Arts in Education in the Community Grant. Lisa Shields, Arts Coordinator for the school explains, "A grant to NHCS brought a focus on the Art and Culture of Native American People of Maine. Two artists-in-residence spent a total of three weeks at our K-12 school, also incorporating community events during their residencies. Barry Dana, former Chief of the Penobscot Nation, is currently a cultural leader and spokesperson for indigenous issues, including toxic waste pollution of the Penobscot Nation's traditional fishing grounds. Barry worked with all K-12 students over a two-week period, teaching them how to build a shelter; identify local medicinal plants; stalk animals; and make fire, ropes and baskets. Eleventh-grade student Kelsi Ruffolo was very sad when he left, 'It was like losing a dad. He was very cool, in terms of native knowledge and expressing his feelings. This program opened my eyes to how alike Indians and white people are.'"
Lisa Shields continues the story, "Barry also led a discussion and question and answer session for the community during an evening session. Allen Sockabasin spent a week on North Haven, also working with every K-12 student, with pre-school students, and with the community. Allen is a member of the Passamaquoddy tribe who grew up in an isolated community surrounded by his people and speaking solely Passamaquoddy. As an author of two books, 'Thanks to the Animals' for children, and 'An Upriver Passamaquoddy,' Allen focuses on the preservation of language as integral to the preservation of culture, enhancing this message through singing and playing guitar. Gina MacDonald, a fourth-grader, said that the stuff that Barry Dana did not tell her, Allen did. This message was a valuable part of the two residencies: not only did the two members of different tribal nations complement each other; they offered two very different perspectives on a variety of issues. One of the lessons learned, according to Keith Eaton, NHCS American Studies teacher, was about 'varying perspectives within Maine's Native American community. Not all members are in agreement about pressing concerns.' Evaluations from both staff and students for both residencies indicated every single one of us learned something as a result of this grant."
The other Arts in Education in the Community Grants were awarded to Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Bangor; PCA Great Performances, Portland; East End School, Portland; Mt. Desert Island High School, Bar Harbor; MSAD 33, Frenchville; L/A Arts, Lewiston; and
MSAD 67, Lincoln.
The Maine Arts Commission's Arts in Education in the Community grant program is now open to competitive applications. The deadline is May 23, 2008.
 Ashley Hodder works on a birchbark basket |  Barry Dana assists a student twist juniper fiber during the spoon-making project. |  Gabe McKenzie, Craig Waterman and Ashley Hooper working on a basket with Allen Sockabasin (not pictured) |
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