Jazz art exhibit kicks off WL grant activities
The exhibit opens a month of special jazz activities in West Lafayette coordinated by Purdue University Bands with funding from a West Lafayette Arts & Culture Enhancement Grant. A public reception for "Seeing Jazz" artists, their families and the community runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3. Special music will be provided by the Little Rascals, West Lafayette 7th grade jazz band, and Purdue Jazz Combo. To kick off the West Lafayette Jazz Artist in Residence program, fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Happy Hollow, taught by Katherine Pechin, were introduced to the history and sounds of jazz in early September by Mo Trout, director of the Purdue Jazz Bands. Students also listened to recordings by trumpeter Byron Stripling, who'll visit their school later in November, as well as other jazz greats, as they worked on their art pieces. Everything from colorful abstract expressions of music, to pictures of instruments, dancers, performing musicians and true jazz cats came out of their imaginations. "It was really exciting how they were so different, and that the students all had their own interpretations of what jazz looked like. The project was a great way to show students how the arts are all inter-related, says Pechin. "Now to display the art in community is really great experience for them." Of the more than 400 art works created, 100 were selected by Kathy Trout, retired West Lafayette art educator, to be matted and displayed in a formal gallery setting at the Morton Community Center , 222 N. Chauncey St. , WL. A brightly colored work by Marysia Skibniewska , depicting a rosy-cheeked jazz musician, was selected to be incorporated into a poster advertising the final event of the residency, a concert featuring Byron Stripling on Friday, Nov. 18, at Loeb Playhouse. The artist will be presented with a framed copy of the poster at the show, and a selection of art works will be on display in the Loeb lobby for the evening. The full show will be on display at the Morton Center through Nov. 30. The center is open to the public Monday through Saturday. Viewing hours vary, call 775-5120. Admission to the gallery is free. Related November events sponsored by the Arts & Culture Enhancement Grant include:
About Byron Stripling |
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"Seeing Jazz," 100 jazz-inspired art works by Happy Hollow Elementary students, goes on display Nov. 1 in West Lafayette 's Morton Community Center . 
With a contagious smile and captivating charm, jazz trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling has ignited audiences internationally. He solos regularly with the Boston Pops, and was chosen for the lead role in the Broadway bound musical Satchmo . He played both the lead and solo trumpet parts with the Count Basie Orchestra, and has played and recorded extensively with numerous jazz legends and organizations. 
