The Kennedy Center is a renowned American arts institution. In addition to its famous events, its programming and funding fervidly support the arts in education.
To my delight and astonishment, I was invited by the Kennedy Center to share recently at their Any Given Child Conference in Washington, D.C., supporting and encouraging the arts in public schools.
The conversations at this gathering opened my world to others who, like me, believe that art is an invaluable tool that expands our thinking, enhances our curiosity, exercises our imagination, and protects our mental health and well-being.
For me, this was especially true this week in engaging with arts advocates from Mississippi: Antonio Altman, a beloved high school band director and Arts Coordinator for the Meridian Public School District; Penny Kemp, President of the Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience (MAX); and Adam Trest, a multi-talented artist and author based in Laurel, Mississippi.
Together we embraced the conference’s theme of “Centering Joy” within our presentations. We also continued this conversation outside the conference, renewing our enthusiasm for active engagement with students in the arts!
Adam and I both emphasized storytelling in our sharing. I also brought a small original painting by my late husband, George Rodrigue (1944-2013), and reflected on the impact of exploring these artworks in a personal way with children during the Life & Legacy Tours.
Adam enhanced his presentation with his new book, Azul, as he explained the transformative journey that sparked an intimate collection of paintings entirely in blue!
Thank you to Adam’s wife Lily Trest and to my husband Douglas Magnus, who joined the experience with their insightful questions and reflections, springing from their careers and passions, also rooted in the arts. Douglas recalled our visit to the Meridian area and especially our tour of the MAX:
“The MAX Museum is devoted to the arts and presents exhibits in a fresh and interactive 21st century manner that deserves to be visited by anyone curious or enthusiastic about Mississippi arts and culture!”
Thank you also to Heather LaCoste, Education Director at the MAX, and a tireless advocate for the arts in schools. Heather connected Adam and me with Any Given Child and wrote a magnificent proposal to the Kennedy Center on our behalf.
As George and I experienced in our partnership with the International Child Art Foundation, art is an international language, able to unite us globally in empathy, gratitude, and peace. I am extremely grateful for my many experiences, worldwide, in connecting with people of all ages through the arts.
Thank you to The Kennedy Center for easing this door open just a bit wider here at home.
Next up: Join me March 2nd in Santa Fe for the New Mexico premiere of BLUE: The Life & Art of George Rodrigue, hosted by Santa Fe Community College and the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado Resort. For tickets, the trailer, and more information visit here.
The George Rodrigue Life & Legacy Tour resumes this spring with student engagement and special events surrounding two exhibitions: The River is the Road: Paintings by George Rodrigue at the Alexandria Museum of Art and George Rodrigue: Painting for Myself at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts.
An additional Louisiana outreach tour in April includes New Orleans and Baton Rouge area schools.
Also in New Orleans, Rodrigue: Before the Blue Dog continues through September 2025 at the Cabildo Louisiana State Museum. See the latest Rodrigue Video Narrative filmed within the exhibition by Douglas Magnus and spotlighting George Rodrigue’s pivotal painting, Watch Dog, linked here.
Thank you for your continued support of this unique art-and-storytelling programming inspired by the life and art of George Rodrigue. I hope to see you on the road!
Enjoy life!
Wendy