Students to study with artist in 2-day workshop

When Connie Noyes looks in a recycling bin or at a demolished building, she doesn't see trash, she sees material for art.

The Chicago-based artist will bring her new perspective of art to Community Unit District 300 schools this week.

The District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence presents the first "Visiting Artist Grant" for District 300. On May 12-14, Hampshire High School will host "The Visiting Artist, Connie Noyes," in which Noyes will hold a two-day workshop on Wednesday, May 12 and Thursday, May 13 for select art students from each of the three high schools: Dundee-Crown, Hampshire and Jacobs. Her visit will conclude on Friday, May 14 with the art students from all three high schools participating in a showing of the work they created in the workshop along with key pieces of Noyes' work.

The foundation partnered with Target in West Dundee in providing the funding for the art grant. Art teachers Laura LaRue of Hampshire High School and Carolyn Washow of Jacobs High School in Algonquin worked with Performing and Fine Arts Chairwoman Diane Magerko in developing this grant.

Noyes received her master of fine arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a master's degree in psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, Calif. In the spring 2009, she exhibited her latest and ongoing body of work "HUMAN STEPS" at Europia Gallery in Paris, France, Passau, Germany and Galerie FreiRaum in Jensback, Austria. To learn more about Noyes, visit www.connienoyes.com.

"We are so pleased to have Connie Noyes present to the District 300 art students. Her unique style of art and her awareness to our environment create an exciting and stimulating medium for the observer," said Magerko.

The District 300 Foundation's mission is to enhance and extend learning opportunities in all District 300 schools. Since its founding in 2002, it has raised more than $400,000 for District 300 schools and its students. The foundation focuses on four areas of impact: literacy, student leadership, science and technology and the fine and performing arts.

Money for the foundation is raised through corporate partnerships, private donations and foundation events. The annual awards golf and gala will be Monday, June 7 at Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills.

For information about the foundation, grant projects or the annual golf and gala, visit d300foundation.org.