Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Spotlights Outstanding Local Teacher and Student for November 2012:
Palmetto Elementary School Art Teacher Mary Kay Westhoven & Dreyfoos School of the Arts Student Tabitha Bartley
(West Palm Beach, FL – October 23, 2012) Tracy C. Butler,
Director of Education for the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, today announced the Center’s first two Outstanding Local Art Teacher and Student of the month:
– Mary Kay Westhoven, Art Teacher at Palmetto Elementary School in West Palm Beach, for her longstanding commitment to her students’ involvement in Kravis educational programs and her leadership in the field of Arts Integration.
– Tabitha Bartley, a Junior Dance Major at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts, for her ongoing participation in Kravis Center arts educational programming over the past six years and her service as a mentor to younger students.
A lifelong educator, Ms. Westhoven has been teaching art since 1998, starting in a one-room schoolhouse in the Bahamas. The Lake Worth resident says her goal at Palmetto Elementary School is to help her students find both their special talents and their place in society.
“Art Education teaches the creativity they will need to excel in 21st Century careers,” said Ms. Westhoven, adding that she “wouldn’t be able to succeed with my students if I didn’t have the support of my administration and fellow teachers… We are an Arts Integrated School but also a team and a family. We are committed to providing the Arts to the next generation and the Kravis Center has been our mentor to accomplish this goal.”
Ms. Bartley, who hopes to study at the Alvin Ailey Dance School in New York City after graduating from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, has been mentoring local middle school students for six years.
“I help open their minds to different arts activities, such as theatre, dance, visual art, vocal performance and poetry,” says Ms. Bartley, who lives in West Palm Beach. “Guiding these kids strengthens my creative side as well and inspires me to be a better dancer, person, and mentor every year.”
“After 20 productive years of Kravis Center arts educational programming, we want to spotlight the motivated teachers and dedicated students who have contributed to our success,” said Ms. Butler. “Our Outstanding Teacher and Student of the month will each receive two free tickets to an upcoming performance at the Kravis Center.”
“A key component of the Kravis Center’s mission is to offer comprehensive education programs,” she added. “This statement clearly demonstrates the Center’s strong commitment to supporting and sustaining high quality, accessible and affordable educational programs for children and adults of our community.”
Note:
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Education Programs are Bringing the Arts to the Next Generation & the Next Generation to the Arts. These Education Programs are supported in part by the Annual Palm Beach Wine Auction.
About the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts:
The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit performing arts center whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality; by offering comprehensive arts education programs; by providing a Palm Beach County home in which local and regional arts organizations can showcase their work; and by providing economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County.
The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. For more information, please call 561-832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.
Available for Interview:
Tracy Butler
561.651.4243
Attached Jpeg Below:
+ Mary Kay Westhoven
Media Contact:
Gary Schweikhart
PR-BS, Inc.
561.756.4298