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Private
Collection of Fine Art Makes Its Way to Idalou
Elementary School
The Idalou Beacon
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Idalou Elementary
4th graders recently attended a special program
featuring Christian Thomas Lee, a concert classical
guitarist and founder of The Christian Thomas Lee
Collection of Fine Art. The mission of The
Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine Art is to
serve in a collaborative process, with select
schools and professional arts organizations, in
integrating the fine arts into the classroom
setting for the educational and inspirational
benefit of children.
It is through these
collaborations that the application of Art in
Schools will provide opportunity to children of all
ages the joy of viewing, studying, and appreciating
priceless works of art and music, that they may
otherwise never see or hear, resulting in a unique
avenue if creativity and inspiration.
Art in Schools is
an idea born out of the realization and concern
that so many of today's youth do not have access
(by and large) to the museums and great
music.
Mr. Lee was
introduced by Dr. Sam Ayers, the West Texas Core
Knowledge coordinator. Both Dr. Ayers and Lee were
welcomed by Principal Southern Bush. |

| Following an art presentation, Christian greets a young, aspiring, artist. |
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A Royal Birth Announcement
1821, signed by King Ferdinand VII of Spain, paper quarterfoil seal and red wax seal intact. Acquired from Sotheby's, lot no: 1YJG, April 4, 2000. The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine Art. |
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After a short
concert on the guitar, Lee displayed and discussed
several pieces from his impressive private
collection of fine art. His personal art collection
includes works by Picasso, Fabergé,
Pasqualini and very important American and European
historic documents. Students were able to view some
of his extensive collection, a few of which
included an ostrich egg that contained an intricate
Nativity scene.
Lee pointed out
that art is much like a book and must be "read" and
understood in order to have meaning. Also shown was
a piece by Pablo Picasso, 1954, Pour Bernard, a fun piece and good
example of cubism and the inner workings of
Picasso's brilliant mind. Another piece by Peter
Carl Fabergé, 1908, jeweler to the Imperial
Court of Russia, was an amazing silver-gilt tea glass
spoon and
then the Imperial Rose Bud Egg, from the House of
Fabergé.
Next was a painting
by Clyde Leon Keller, 1930, Hills of
Lavender, a
wonderful example of impressionism specific to the
California school. He also showed the Death
Mask from
1832 of Sir Walter Scott. The program was concluded
with music on the guitar, including works by
Beethoven, Mozart and others.
This special
program was provided through the Core Knowledge
grant funds. |
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The Core Knowledge Foundation conducts
research on curricula, develops books and other
materials for parents and teachers, offers
workshops for teachers, and serves as the hub of a
growing network of Core Knowledge schools.
Core
Knowledge is an idea that for the sake of academic
excellence, greater fairness, and higher literacy,
elementary and middle schools need a solid,
specific, shared core curriculum in order to help
children establish strong foundations of knowledge,
grade by grade. |
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