Authors To Help Central Texas Children Become Readers, Artists And Dreamers Sept. 18-19

by Judy Long

The third annual Readers, Artists and Dreamers Day, a literacy event designed to motivate children to read and express themselves through the creative arts, will bring authors, actors and artists to the Baylor University campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 18-19 at the Ferrell Center.
Approximately 3,200 second graders from area elementary schools will attend the daytime event, which will feature KidProv, an interactive, improvisational comedy acting troupe from Dallas, author and mathematician David Schwartz (How Much Is a Million?), ventriloquist Mark McClintock and award-winning Native American storyteller Gayle Ross.
Children will rotate through stations to watch puppet shows and skits, as well as paint murals under an artist's direction and hear stories from local celebrities and professionals who will read top-rated children's books.
The public is invited to Family Literacy Night from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19. KidProv will perform, involving children from the audience in their improvisational act.
Children will have an opportunity to paint on a 4 x 8 foot mural under the direction of a professional artist. Authors and storytellers Dale Bulla and Ross, among others, will sign books and talk to children and parents in the foyer of the Ferrell Center. Cassette tapes and books will be provided at no cost to children. Family Literacy Night is free to the public.
The event is coordinated by "Building a Nation of Readers, Artists and Dreamers," a local non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate a new generation of readers, artists and dreamers by providing personal contact between children and authors and artists who will challenge them in reading, creativity and learning.
For more information, contact event facilitator Jane Wilkinson at MindPrime Inc. at 752-1400.