Press Release
Paxson Elementary School Shares Brazilian Art Experience with the Public

For two consecutive years, Paxson Elementary School students have had the opportunity to work alongside artist, Janaina Vieira-Marques.  A native to Brazil, Janaina shares her rich culture with Paxson students as she teaches printmaking (2012) and ceramics (2011).  This year students designed their own prints to accompany their personalized writings in small pamphlets.   The booklets will be hung on lines available for all to see at the Big Dipper on the evening of June 1st.  The exhibit, “Paxson Cordel,” emulates the Brazilian Cordel tradition, or “literature on a string,” in which artists hang their literature on clotheslines in public spaces. 

Since the late 19th century, Brazilians have enjoyed reading poetry, short stories, wedding announcements, condolences, and secret messages in open-air markets.  Pages flutter, some work is printed, other pieces are handwritten, and the art is always intriguing. 

Please join us as Paxson students open up the event with live Brazilian music, along with Silvia Lazo, a Brazilian U of M doctoral student, Pedro Marques on pandeiro (a Brazilian percussion instrument), Al Aman on accordion and Karen Callen on guitar.

The Paxson Parent Advisory Council and the Paxson Community Association worked collaboratively to plan and fundraise in an effort to bring real artists into the school.  Their efforts were rewarded when they received a matching grant from the Montana Arts Council.  Last year, local artists Hannah Hannon and Claire Emery accompanied Janaina Vieira-Marques.  They designed an art unit that included: nature studies, sketching, painting, and pottery.  This year the focus was on Brazilian cordels.  Next year, Clair Emery will return for another exciting year of infusing art into Paxson classrooms.

“Paxson Cordel” by Paxson Elementary Students

When:  Friday, June 1, 2012 (6:00 p.m)

Where:  Big Dipper on the corner of Higgins and 5th Street