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Image provided by: Suffolk Cooperative Library System
Meet Huey, Heckscher Museum s new \mascot * BY ELISE PEARLMAN One ofthe greatest artists of all tumne, Leonardo da Vinci:, secognazed an's power io promote learning when he wrote, \An is the queen of all sciences, communcatung knowledge to all the gen erauons of the world.\ In line with the trend toward integrat ing arts into school curricula, research cited by the Long Island Arts in Education Roundtable and other orgam- zations indicate that children who regu- larly participate in the arts reap benefits in terms of academic achievement. school attendance and class leadership. In a recent newsletter, Executive | Director of Heckscher Museum Beth Levinthal wrote about the museum's commitment to nurturing children's imaginations and creativity, with the goal of promoting a lifelong appreciation of the arts. Today, in its ongoing effort to foster vital connections between art, art - history and daily life, the Heckscher Museum has a new ally: a child-friendly, animated icon named Huey. Joy Weiner, director of Education and Public Programs, and Kristina Seckamp. coordinator of School and Youth Programs, said they recognized that par- ents may not be best equipped to intro- duce their children to the museum's vast, ever-changing and often complex array of art. The Heckscher Museum, established in 1920 by Huntington resident and phi- lanthropist August Heckscher, houses more than 1,800 works of art, including 185 that were originally part of Heckscher's private collection. Weiner said that Huey, a character in the form of an oversized H, was devel- oped to welcome families and children into the magical world that the museum provides. Armed with a family gallery guide, families follow numbered icons, Photo by Elise Pearlman Joy Weiner and Kristina Seekamp (right) show off the museum's new mascot. which provide both a logical progression through an exhibit and child-friendly wall text. Weiner noted that because children come to recognize the animatedsymbol, it gives them a \sense of independence\ as they explore the museum. \It's person- alized, child-friendly, and its on their level,\ she said. Huey debuted in association with the Noguch exhibition that was on view from September to mid-November. Wall text and the gallery guide provided bio- graphical | information - about Isamu Noguchi, whose sculptures, photographs and drawings document his travels to Italy, Egypt. India, Nepal and Japan. The illustrated gallery guide for the Noguch: exhibition also armed to broaden chil- dren's appreciation of art by introducing terms such as landscape. architect and texture. The gallery guide, which also served to introduce Huey. was made possible by support from the Town of Huntington and the New York State Council on the Arts. \The feedback has been very positive,\ Weiner sard, noting that Huey will help familes explore the current exhibition on three - 20th-century - masters. - Pablo Picasso. Georges Braque and Fernand Léger, on view until February 26. Seekamp. Huey's creator, sard that the mascot's name comes from the word hue. further reinforcingchildren's understand- mg of the vital link between art and color. To add to his versatility and visibility Seekamp indicated that Huey will change color with different exhibits Even Huey's origin is tried to the Heckscher Museum Cthuldren are told that the character came to life when a powerful bolt of lightning struckthe H on the museum's front doors, animating this letter. In his role as \art ambassador.\ the \lovable color chamefeon\ is said to have taken up residence in the museum. where he passes his time learming about artwork. Huey will impact more than 8,000 children from 56 school districts across Long Island who visit the museum as part of the School Discovery Program each year. Weiner and Seekamp said that each student will receive a Family Museum Pass with a Huey bookmark. highlighting the new family literacy project. The Family An Literacy Project and the Farmly Museum Pass were made pos sible through The Roslyn Savings Foundation's generous funding. Seekamp said that Huey will also play a role in Family Fun Days. which take place on the first Saturday of each month areinvited to partwipate in inter active activitres relating to ongoing exhi bitrons at a new Family Activity Center statroned in one of the gallenes \They get to explore media. surrounded by art It's very welcoming and inspimng.\ Weinert said New activities are offered each month and program. They run from 1 to5 pm and are free of charge. The Heckscher Museum. located at °? Prime Avenue, Huntington is open trom 10 am to 5 pm Tuesdays through Endays. and 1 to 5 pm Saturdays and Sundays The first Fnday of every month, hours are extended until 8:30 pm. For information. call 351-3250 or visit the museum's weh site at www heckscherorg Superintendent: open ears are a must for the job Brosnan delivers annual report, discusses characteristics of successful successor BY ELIZABETH W. SOBEL The Northport-East Northport School District is flourishing, according to Superintendent of Schools William Brosnan's 127-page annual report to the - mm. mm. mm - vided detailed information about school district operations, highlighted last school year's accomplishments, identified signif- cant and interesting trends and attempted to identify issues that may affect the dis- trict in coming years. \By any measure, the Northport-East Northport School District is an excellent school district.\ Brosnan said. \I am proud of what our staff and students accomplish on a daily basis. as well as the receive in recognition of their accomplish- ments.\ He said that more students are per- forming at higher levels. The percent of seniors achieving Regents diplomas has climbed from 49.6 percent in 1984 to 91 1 Cardiac education program . ; at Stony Brook University Hospital, with Department comdmauon by Joanne Schultz, is offering free CPR training classes to fami- lies, Classes run every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm, through December 15. Topics covered will include, among others: What is Heart Discase? mammmdtmmmscase issues? . mmwspm egistration is required. 'To register, calchalfltComectaz 444-4000 Monday through Friday and be prepared to give the following informa- mumofpwpleplmmngwmndmdymrmaddmsmflm mmmmuw EducationCenter \__Pak North percent in 2005. Scores on the SATs rank higher than the state and the national level, Brosnan _- indicated - and - Advanced Placement (AP) course enrollment has tnpled since 1984 High School bung named on Newsweek's list of best high schools in the nation, a ranking based on the percent of students taking the AP and - International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. The school dis tnct was also one of three Suffolk County school districts to receive the State Education Department's High Performing/Gap Closing District Award Nc thpor High School was also named Suffolk County Human Rights School of the Year by the Suffolk County Human Rights Commussion in recognition of the work of Students for 60,000 \The bist of accomplishments just goes on.\ Brosnan said. \For instance. this district has always been strong in mathematics. but has been known for its art program over the years. The implementation of the Science Research Program. combined with a culture of high teacher expecta tions, has taken math and science to a new level.\ Brosnan also pointed out a significant increase in the number of students attend- ing the nation's best colleges. The per- centage of students admitted to the most highly competitive colleges has risen from . Northport _ 8 pervent to 45 percent since 1984 he sand \That means as a percentage of the class. dozens more students are attending col leges and universities like Harvard and Cooper Union.\ Brusnan sard What makes the school district soar is the teaching staft. Bremnan added ~A great shool district is a team effort and teachers here do not give up aon the bids and craft opportunities for students to fly We also have a culture here where adults want to see the kids soar The teacher knock themselves out and are always here at the district for math. music and other academic events. That's what makes ths school district great ~ Having already announced his retire ment. Brosnan indicated the challenges that a new superintendent may inhent Ho sard that the district has fostered commu nity imput on how the school district should operate and, while disagreement 1s the norm. an inclusive atmosphere aho invites risk-taking and creativity \Open convermation can be a chal lenge. especially for a supenntendent who is not used to the culture The next super intendent will have to be adaptive and accept this culture.\ Brosnan said. \As the residents question themselves. they create challenges. Hf we were not to listen to those challenges. we as a district would stagnate. Residents here are constantly pushing the envelope \
