Celebration of Art awards grants

Edison Celebration of Art awarded six Lee County teachers with grant money to be used in art, music, and drama studies.

Teachers from 21 area schools applied for the grants to be used to enhance art appreciation by providing students with additional materials, supplies, instruments and experiences which will further their education.

This is the first year that Edison Celebration of Art has created grant opportunities for area teachers. Funding of the grants is generated by proceeds from the Edison Celebration of Art annual outdoor arts festival.

The grant award winners are:

• MUSIC - Elizabeth Waterhouse of Rayma C. Page Elementary was awarded $909 to purchase a steel drum for a planned steel drum band at the school. Janice Hessney of Dunbar Middle School was awarded $334 to purchase a clarinet or flute for the band.

• ART - Michelle Doherty of Colonial Elementary School was awarded $501.95 for student performance packs & one audio wireless system. Cindy Collins of Gateway Charter Middle was awarded $466.78 for print making supplies & Gyotaku fish prints set. Jamie Berendes of Bonita Elementary School was awarded $296.95 to purchase "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists Book Set" for student reference material.

Dyann Miller of North Fort Myers High School was awarded $510 for art show supplies to highlight the work of Autistic, Educable and Handicapped students.

Edison Celebration of Art also made $3000 in cash donations to Edison Elementary School and Dunbar Middle School for art and music programming.