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Storyteller Carrie Sue Ayvar, left, works with PLUS Campers participating in this year's camp at the BPAC. The final performance for the camp is July 18 at 10 a.m. and is free and open to the community.

The Bologna Performing Arts Center at Delta State University was recently awarded a mini-grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission that helped bring in award-winning storyteller Carrie Sue Ayvar as a faculty member at the Janice Wyatt Mississippi Summer Arts Institute PLUS Camp held at the BPAC.

The finding is a portion of the $1.61 million in grants MAC will award in 2015-16. The mini-grant is made possible by the continued funding from the Mississippi state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“The Creative economy has never been more vibrant than it is today in the communities across Mississippi,” said Dr. Tom Pearson, MAC executive director. “This agency is honored to play a small role in assisting these organizations to continue their work of reinforcing the value of the arts and the role they play in creative place-making and economic development.”

The BPAC offers MSAI PLUS Camp every summer for campers ages 5-11. Throughout the week, campers participate in daily classes of puppetry, prop design, music, storytelling and more. The camp wraps up this year on July 18 at 10 a.m. with a final performance at the BPAC that is free and open to the community.

“Campers and counselors alike have enjoyed Carrie Sue Ayvar’s storytelling,” said Joannah Taylor, BPAC arts education coordinator. “She blends traditional and international tales together and effortlessly flows between Spanish and English. The campers are able to tell stories in Spanish after only a couple days. PLUS Camp has greatly been enhanced by having Mrs. Ayvar this year.”

Ayvar is thrilled to have the the opportunity to work with the campers.

“It’s a long trip for me to come here from South Florida, but it’s worth every little bit — Mississippi Magic, I call it,” said Ayvar. “These kids are amazing. I have 5, 6, 7, all the way up to 12-year-olds listening to stories so intently you couldn’t hear a thing. But they weren’t here in the room — they were wherever our story took us and that’s the magic of it.

“We have traveled all around the world to Mexico, to Europe. We have been on an adventure every single day. I have never seen so many kids that absolutely not only embraced the stories, but also embrace the art of storytelling to make it their own. It doesn’t get better than this.”

MAC, a state agency, serves Mississippians by providing grants that support programs to enhance communities; assist artists and arts organizations; promote the arts in education and celebrate Mississippi’s cultural heritage. Established in 1968, MAC serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.

Built in 1994, the BPAC offers a rich tapestry of cultural and educational programs to serve the Mississippi Delta region. For more information, visit www.bolognapac.com.