(LARIMER presents EMERGING ARTISTS of DENVER)

Project LEAD, a nationally award-winning program, provides an art programming pipeline for students at a critical time in their development. Through LEAD, the Larimer Arts Association (LAA), in conjunction with Denver Public Schools (DPS), provides art programs with supplies and expertise for curricula, helping to augment funding shortfalls in the department and introducing students to a new art medium.

At the start of each school year, LEAD pairs an area artist from La Piazza with DPS K-8 and middle school classrooms, focusing on grades 7 and 8. The artist spends a few days at the school, creating chalk art on a large tarpaper sheet. Students are able to watch the artist’s progress and discuss the work as it nears completion. The LAA then provides pastel chalk and tarpaper for student art classes to start their own artwork.  Teachers, with the assistance of LAA, guide students in collaborating to create their own pieces. The project allows students to provide artistic input on the project and gives them an opportunity to get acquainted with each other early in the school year.

The partnership also provides an opportunity to integrate arts into the school’s other curriculum, including social studies (origin of art), mathematics (spatial relationships and geometry for 3-D pieces) and linguistics.

Michael Rieger, owner of Lapis Gallery, a multiple-award recipient for arts education and a LAA board member, is the project manager for Project LEAD.  He directed the installation of the permanent children’s art display at Invesco Field at Mile High and is a successful artist and gallery partner in Denver.  Rieger, along with volunteer artists, work in tandem with the teachers and the students on their pieces.

As the local expert in chalk art media, the LAA also provides in-school chalk demonstrations and presentations by artists at the high school level at the request of the school. It’s the LAA’s goal that Project LEAD will show young adults how art is an integral part of our society and can enrich daily lives.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The public may call our 24-hour information line at 303.685.8143.

Wherever possible, recycled products have been and will be used for this event in order to help preserve our invaluable resources.