I am a local educator and children's picture book author. I offer author visits to schools, geared towards Pre-K to second grade. I have two books but I present the current title, Well...almost! I give the background story of how I got started, the ideas behind the stories, comparing and contrasting the styles and illustrations of each book. I read the book and answer questions from the audience. I like to send a book order form home a few weeks before the presentation for any sales of the book, and so I can sign the books ahead of time.

Sculpture/ Written Word Residency In this residency, students will work with multi-media artist Erin Eckler to construct poetry or a creative writing piece that will be transcribed onto a sculpture that visually illustrates their writing. The sculptural element will be constructed using recycled materials ranging from fiber to paper. The first half of sessions will guide the student to begin creating their written work while learning techniques for breaking down and reforming the recycled materials. The second half of sessions will be supporting the constructing of their sculptural pieces while fine tuning their poetry and prose. The students will be taught hand sewing, weaving, 3D construction, collage, and how to deconstruct recycled materials for use. Resident artist will provide technical support and problem solving as needed while the students construct their pieces.

Cheryl Wills is the 3x great granddaughter of Civil War Veteran Sandy Wills. The Emmy award winning journalist and children's book author visits schools nationwide teaching about her family's transition from Slavery to Freedom in Tennessee using primary sources in an exciting and captivating power point presentation. Cheryl made national news in 2024, when she hired an archaeology team to locate the remains of her heroic grandfather. He was found in an unmarked grave and the U.S. Army reburied Pvt. Sandy with full military honors in August of 2024. See report on CBS News! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGQybuYerV4&t=8s

Exciting multimedia school assembly programs featuring LIVE performance of rock and roll songs by three talented musicians. Educational content is reinforced by large computer projections of photos and videos. In schools since 1984, "READING ROCKS" promotes literacy; "BIG 80s" features STEM themes and "Mistletunes" is a multicultural December program.

Living Wall Fiber Art Community Program The Living Wall is a community based, collaborative art program that focuses on the hands-on art of wet felting. During this program students learn a variety of felting techniques to experience how wool can be sculpted and painted with to create three dimensional forms, patterns and unique fiber creations. Over the course of three sessions, participating classes will learn to wet felt flowers, mushrooms, moths, leaves, stones and vines using different hands on felting techniques. They range from techniques that are purely hand based, meaning no extra tools are needed which are best for grades k-2 and techniques that require felting mats that are provided by myself, the teaching artist, which are best for grades 3 and up. Those felted pieces of flora and fauna are then added to one large piece of background felt to create the look and feel of a living wall. It is an organically textured quilt or 3D sculptural base is made entirely of hand felted wool and will sometimes represent trees, roots and branches. The final piece will be hung at the school in the location of the schools choosing. The Living Wall is meant to be a reminder of how important green spaces are to human beings, how important our environment is and how we need nature in our lives to be healthy and happy. It serves as a lesson in using, understanding and appreciating natural fibers, as well as learning about the sustainability of wool. It is also a symbol of community and the beauty of working together to create one beautiful piece of work. In the same way an ecosystem has many individual elements that work together in harmony to create beautiful natural spaces and systems that benefit us all. The cost of this residency program is $6250 which includes all materials, tools, in class time and the assembly of the final sculpture. There may be an additional cost to the program that will be dependent on the distance to the school and the length of the program to cover travel costs.

Circle Values provides interactive, student-led social-emotional learning experiences that build connection, communication, and a shared sense of community. Older students are trained to facilitate age-appropriate games, activities, and circle discussions with younger students. Discussions are centered around values identified by the participating school district, giving students an opportunity to explore those values through conversation, play, and real-life experiences. The program empowers older students as positive role models and leaders while helping younger students practice listening, empathy, collaboration, and respectful communication in a fun, engaging environment.

We offer educational programming for school groups of all ages, focusing on the natural and cultural history of the Finger Lakes! Much of our programming involves an opportunity for students to get out on the waters of Keuka Lake in our kayak fleet. From learning about glaciers and the formation of the Finger Lakes, to water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates, we offer hands-on experiences that get kids outside! All of our programming aligns with New York State learning standards.

Mannie offers exciting yet educational shows leaving the students with memories that will last a lifetime. Performing for thousands of students across New England, New York, and New Jersey, Mannie's program is perfect for grades K-8. The amazing BMX tricks performed during each show will have the students in awe all while they learn about a great message such as anti-bullying, living out your dreams, achieving goals through dedication, or healthy eating. School assemblies run approximately 40 minutes and most are held indoors in a gym or cafeteria. Outdoor shows require very specific requirements and can send over those requirements if needed. Set up for shows is quick and easy, usually around 45 minutes. Mannie Nogueira BMX Shows LLC is FULLY INSURED and ready to perform at a school near you! For all inquires and detailed pricing, please send over an email to MNBMXSHOWS@gmail.com or call Mannie at 978-855-6998

Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. (known familiarly as “the Bardavon'') is a New York State nonprofit corporation that owns and operates two historic theaters. The 928-seat Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie is the oldest continuously operating theater in the state, among the oldest in the country, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1500-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater (UPAC) is a National Register property built in Kingston in 1927. UPAC was merged into Bardavon's corporate structure in 2007. The Bardavon consistently presents the highest quality music, dance, theater, and classic films in both its venues. The Bardavon has brought together artists, businesses, and government to produce outdoor events that draw thousands of residents and visitors to the region annually, providing free access to superb art as a source of community pride, urban revitalization, and cultural tourism. The Bardavon Education Program partners with regional schools in offering unique arts-based learning experiences for students and innovative tools for teachers. The continued restoration and preservation of the Bardavon 1869 Opera House and the Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater is also a vital aspect of our mission.

Jennifer Islas has been a licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor since 2009. She has provided classes at many local schools and libraries for both students and teachers. Jennifer is a former educator as well and has worked with children from age 3-18 years as a Speech and Language Therapist. Her classes are high energy, interact, fun and easy to follow!

Journeys Into American Indian Territory brings an immersive, curriculum-based exploration of Native American cultures directly to schools through a dynamic, hands-on program rooted in cultural anthropology. Designed for grades K–5, this unforgettable experience features a fully assembled on-site museum and four interactive workshops in a single day, covering the traditional lifeways of either the Plains or Eastern Woodlands peoples (Native Americans of NYS). Through authentic artifacts, storytelling, music, dance, and participatory activities, students gain a deeper understanding of Native American history, values, and cultural continuity—all aligned with state learning standards.

John McPherson is the creator of the very popular cartoon panel Close To Home, which appears in over 700 newspapers worldwide, among them the Washington Post, The Miami Herald and the Houston Chronicle. He has published 27 book collections of his work, a line of greeting cards with Recycled Greetings, and is also a nationally known speaker on humor, stress and creativity as well as life as a syndicated cartoonist. His presentations are very funny, engaging, and informative. When speaking to school children his presentations can range from showing kids how to draw cartoons (focusing on the emotions of the characters, perspective, shading, etc) to telling his story of how he became a cartoonist, what life as a cartoonist is like, how books become published, what makes a cartoon funny, how cartoons are animated and turned into TV shows and many other aspects of cartooning. He is comfortable working with children of all ages and is sure to get them laughing and creating their own cartoons.