The Woodlands, TX – (July 7, 2022) – The Woodlands Arts Council, with the support of The Judith K. Wren Memorial Fund, provided 4,320 K-6th grade Conroe Independent School District summer school students with take-home art kits. The kits included a set of 12 watercolor pencils, a 50-page sketchbook, an instructional pamphlet and a fun bookmark. Funds raised from Fidelity Investments The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival last April and The Judith K. Wren Memorial Fund allowed The Council to purchase the art supplies.
“When I was a child, I loved drawing, painting, and coloring,” said James Stilwell, The Woodlands Arts Council Board President. “With the help of the Judith K. Wren Memorial Fund, The Woodlands Arts Council is excited that we could provide over $25,000 in art supplies to students to take home this summer and make art. Art matters! Our year-round supporters like Chris and Christi Wren, and our partnerships with outside organizations like CISD, help The Woodlands Arts Council live out our mission -- which includes providing educational art enrichment opportunities here in Montgomery County.”
Market Street – The Woodlands generously provided space for The Council to build the art kits with the help of National Charity League The Magnolias Chapter over the course of a few days. The art kits went to 12 schools participating in the summer school program including Bradley Elementary, Geisinger Elementary, Grangerland Intermediate, Hailey Elementary, Houser Elementary, Houston Elementary, Lamar Elementary, Milam Elementary, Rice Elementary, Suchma Intermediate, Travis Intermediate, and Wilkerson Intermediate.
“We are so appreciative that our long-time partner, The Woodlands Arts Council, has once again demonstrated their commitment to supporting high quality art education experiences for Conroe ISD students. By providing art supplies and activities to over 4,000 summer school students, The Woodlands Arts Council is again living out its mission and vision in our community, Because Art Matters!” said Dr. Bob Horton, CISD Administrative Coordinator of Fine Arts.
The art kits are just one way The Council impacts Montgomery County students and teachers. Last year The Council provided over $30,000 in microgrants to 12 educators & organizations, supporting curriculums that notably included ceramics, digital art and sketchbook trading. This September, applications for the next round of Dr. David Gottlieb Education Microgrant funding will open for teachers and arts organizations.
The Woodlands Arts Council provides regional, cultural, and educational enrichment opportunities that encourage, support and promote the visual and performing arts in our community. From the award-winning Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival to public art installations and the year-round community and educational outreach programs of Because Art Matters, the council has one primary goal….making our community better,
Because Art Matters!
Photo captions:
0562 – From left: Chris Wren; Christi Wren; Dr. Lisa Davis, Prof Fine Arts Specialist at CISD; James Stilwell, TWAC Board President; and Jenny Carattini-Wright TWAC Executive Director.