WINTER 2002

Executive Director's Report

As our world exploded around us on September 11 the security that has been ours was forever lost. But after a few days, life returned to some semblance of normalcy. Beautiful young children of every race and religion play together on the schoolgrounds during recess, they complete group science projects and some have the opportunity to enjoy the creative spirit of the Council's artists during presentations of "Kids Meet Art"™.

One goal of "KMA"™ is to expose children to the art of many cultures.

We hope the universal language of the arts will emphasize the similarities in people and encourage respect for all persons.

Sincerely,

Kathy Umlauf

NWCC Board Member Yoshitsugu Kimata visited Jeanine Hill-Soldner's "Kids Meet Art"™ presentation of Japanese Screens, from the Momoyama Period (1568-1603), at the MacArthur Elementary School in Schaumburg. After learning the history of the screens and how they were used in Japanese homes the students each made a screen and told a story in pictures. While they worked, the peaceful music of the koto and shakuhachi provided a calm background. The children entered and left the classroom to the sounds of the taiko drums.

This was one of 81 "KMA"™ presentations, funded by The Omron Foundation, being made during the 2001/2002 school year in School District #54. We are deeply grateful to our Board Member Yoshitsugu Kimata for his efforts on behalf of the Council.

Yoshitsugu Kimata and student Daniela Gonzalez share a friendly moment.

Photo by Deanna Goldberg

SOUNDS AND SHAPES

For this exhibition, NWCC artists assembled works reflecting their interpretation of shapes found in the universe.

The reception on October 10 in both the Kimball Hill Homes and Northwest Cultural Council galleries was filled with the words of three local poets, Vicki Vietti, Jim Littwin, and Helen Reed.

This was the third in the series of three poetry readings underwritten by NWCC Board Member Larry Moats and organized by NWCC Executive Board Member and Prose & Poetry Editor Martin Ryan.

In Martin's absence, Executive Director Kathy Umlauf presented Larry with a plaque in appreciation of his generous donation, which made the series of poetry readings possible.

The words on the plaque are:

To Larry Moats,

With gratitude for your unselfish devotion over the years as a Board Member of the Northwest Cultural Council, and your generous sponsorship of the Council's Poetry Readings.