The Bologna Performing Arts Center at Delta State University was recently\u00a0awarded a mini-grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission\u00a0that 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.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0finding\u00a0is a portion of the $1.61 million in grants\u00a0MAC 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Creative economy has never been more vibrant than it is today in the communities across Mississippi,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Tom Pearson, MAC executive director.\u00a0\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 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\u00a0July 18 at 10 a.m. with a final performance at the BPAC that is free and open to the community. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCampers and counselors alike have enjoyed Carrie Sue Ayvar\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ayvar\u00a0is thrilled to have the the opportunity to work with the campers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a long trip for me to come here from South Florida, but it’s worth every little bit \u2014 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\u2019t hear a thing. But they weren\u2019t here in the room\u00a0\u2014\u00a0they were wherever our story took us and that\u2019s the magic of it. <\/span><\/p>\n “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\u2019t get better than this.”<\/span><\/p>\n MAC, a state agency, serves Mississippians\u00a0by providing grants that support programs to enhance communities; assist artists and arts organizations; promote the arts in education and celebrate Mississippi\u2019s cultural heritage. Established in 1968, MAC serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.<\/span><\/p>\n