FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
DATE:  January 27, 2005
CONTACT: Dr. Elizabeth Reese, Director, Islander Art Gallery, (361) 852-3350; or Steve Paschal, Public Affairs, (361) 825-2336

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WHO:             State Board of Education Representative Mary Helen Berlanga and Students from Travis Elementary School

WHAT:            Book Reading in Conjunction with “Every Day I Dream” Exhibit

WHEN:            Friday, January 28 at 1 p.m.

WHERE:         Islander Art Gallery, 4024 Weber Road

State Board of Education Representative Mary Helen Berlanga to Read to Travis Elementary Students at Islander Art Gallery

State Board of Education District 2 Representative Mary Helen Berlanga will read to students from Travis Elementary School at the Islander Art Gallery, 4024 Weber Rd., on Friday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. The event is being held in conjunction with the gallery’s “Every Day I Dream” exhibit which honors the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Berlanga will read excerpts from elementary-level biographies on Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Afterward, students will write their dreams on a star to be placed on an interactive “Tree of Peace” which is part of the exhibit.

As a member of the State Board of Education, Berlanga and the other board members, review the curriculum for Texas students in pre-K through high school. The board also sets standards for test and provides textbooks to Texas schools.

“Reading and art go together,” said Berlanga. “By learning about artists, children become more excited about art… Art makes them well-rounded citizens and helps them become better students in other areas.”