DALTON, Ga. – Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce the winners of the 2024-2025 Seretean and Lorberbaum Arts-in-Education Grants, awarded by the O.N. Jonas Foundation. This year’s recipients are Rodney Gipson and Megan Walker, whose innovative projects will provide lasting enrichment to their respective schools through expanded arts opportunities for students.
The Lorberbaum Family Foundation Arts-in-Education Grant, funded by the O.N. Jonas Foundation, supports middle and high school educators who incorporate fine arts experiences—including visual arts, music, theatre, and dance—into their curriculum. The $2,500 grant is awarded based on the quality and sustainability of proposed projects that integrate the arts to enhance student learning. Jeff Lorberbaum and his family, longstanding supporters of education and the arts in Dalton, have made this initiative possible through their ongoing generosity and commitment to community development.
Rodney Gipson, recipient of the Lorberbaum Grant, submitted the project "Enhancing Music Education through the Development of a Classroom Music Technology Studio." This project aims to:
1. Enhance Educational Opportunities: Provide students with access to modern music technology tools and resources, enabling them to learn and create in a professional environment.
2. Skill Development: Develop students' technical skills in music production, sound engineering, and digital composition, preparing them for higher education and careers in the music industry.
3. Increase Engagement: Increase student engagement and participation in music education by incorporating technology that aligns with their interests and future ambitions.
The proposed Music Technology Studio will feature professional-grade equipment, including high-quality microphones, audio interfaces, mixers, an isolation booth, high-fidelity speakers, and headphones. This innovative space will empower students to explore sound mixing, recording, and digital music composition in an authentic studio environment.
The M.B. Seretean Foundation Arts-in-Education Grant, also facilitated by the O.N. Jonas Foundation, provides $2,500 to elementary school educators who demonstrate exceptional creativity in fostering fine arts opportunities for students. Named in honor of Bud Seretean, a visionary leader and philanthropist, the grant reflects his legacy of supporting arts education and community enrichment. The Seretean Foundation remains dedicated to promoting arts integration in classrooms across Dalton, Murray, and Whitfield County Schools.
Megan Walker, recipient of the Seretean Grant, proposed the project "Silhouettes at Play." This project will engage approximately 600 students across all grade levels in creating 2D silhouette art that reflects the theme of children at play. Inspired by the historical significance of silhouette art as a storytelling medium, students will design silhouettes to share narratives of joy, simplicity, and movement.
Key components of the project include:
· Creation of individual and group silhouette projects for students to take home and display within the school.
· Collaboration with a local artist to develop silhouette sculptures for the school’s entrance. The sculptures will depict children playing, dancing, reading, and jumping, serving as a lasting visual reminder of the joys of childhood for students, parents, and visitors.
Walker’s project highlights the importance of fostering creativity and memory through art while providing students with meaningful artistic experiences that would not be possible without the grant.
Both recipients will share the outcomes of their projects at the O.N. Jonas Foundation Annual Board Meeting in May of 2025, presenting the impact of their work through a comprehensive report and multimedia showcase.
Dalton Public Schools commends Rodney Gipson and Megan Walker for their dedication to enhancing student learning through the arts and celebrates the continued support of the Lorberbaum and Seretean Foundations in fostering creativity and artistic excellence in education.
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