Cook, Benedum Foundation Announce Teaching Artist Project Funding in Beth Center and Bentworth School Districts

September 7, 2017

BENTLEYVILLE – Rep. Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette) and James Denova, vice president of the Benedum Foundation, held a news conference this afternoon at Bentworth High School to officially announce that both the Beth Center and Bentworth school districts have each received funding to host two full-year teaching artist residencies.

Through the generous support of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the funds were made available to both districts from the Rural Arts Collaborative – Arts Education Project, which is one of the initiatives of the Fayette County Cultural Trust.
“We are truly grateful to the Benedum Foundation for funding these projects in both school districts,” said Cook. “The students will be exposed to a beneficial arts education experience, while at the same time, help to beautify their communities with public art. These programs will enhance and continue to improve the quality of life in our region, assisting our efforts to attract both employers and employees to the 49th District.”

Beginning this month, each teaching artist will spend an entire year working on their projects with a lead art teacher and students in the classroom. The final works of art will eventually be installed in public spaces in and around the Bentleyville community.

“This is the type of project that is at the heart of what Benedum is pleased to fund – one that will robustly support the existing arts education curriculum in schools, and to prepare our youth for success in other disciplines,” said Denova. “The public art aspect of this initiative gives students a level of civic engagement. These students have demonstrated a remarkable sense of pride in contributing to their communities.”

Beth Center will host silkscreen artist Codi Yoders, who will work with high school students to produce a variety of different conceptual silk-screened pieces for both indoor and outdoor installation. Yoders has worked with students through the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

Bentworth will host Japanese watercolorist Hiromi Katayama, who will work with high school students to produce large connecting thematic panels of artwork created in the traditional Japanese watercolor method. Katayama has been recognized locally and nationally for her unique, yet traditional style, and some of her student artwork can be found at various sites in the city of Washington.

The Benedum Foundation is dedicated to encouraging human development through strategically placed charitable resources in Southwestern PA and West Virginia. Over the years the Foundation has authorized grants of more than $410 million.

49th Legislative District
Representative Bud Cook
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: (724) 669-2242
RepBudCook.com / Facebook.com/RepBudCook