2019 Fall Conference Highlights
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Conference Schedule
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OCTOBER 10: Pre-Conference
OCTOBER 11 & 12: Conference The Art of Storytelling - The act of storytelling has been around long before recorded history. From cave paintings to teaching children to read picture books today, we have been engaging the imagination through stories throughout history. Stories have been critical in our communities and lives as a way to help us remember our history. Stories teach, entertain and inspire us. FRIDAY KEYNOTE: Monica Leo SATURDAY KEYNOTE: Edwin Gil FULL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE & SESSION DESCRIPTIONS HERE HOTEL & THINGS TO DO IN DECORAH |
CONFERENCE KEYNOTES
MONICA LEO
Monica Leo is a first generation American, born to German refugees in the waning days of World War Two. After the war, her parents ordered a set of hand puppets from a German craftswoman, and Monica was hooked. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Monica studied for two years at the State Art Academy in Düsseldorf, Germany with Josef Beuys.
Since 1974, she has been the sole puppet creator and lead puppeteer of Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre, headquartered in West Liberty, Iowa, and touring nationally and internationally. From 1975 through 2006, she worked with artistic partner Teri Jean Breitbach. The two performed exclusively as a duo until the 1990's, when they began to incorporate musicians and other puppeteers. In addition to creating all of the puppets and scenery for Eulenspiegel productions, Monica Leo also makes dolls, creates block prints, and writes about puppetry in the Midwest for The Puppetry Journal, a national magazine published by Puppeteers of America.
Since 1974, she has been the sole puppet creator and lead puppeteer of Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre, headquartered in West Liberty, Iowa, and touring nationally and internationally. From 1975 through 2006, she worked with artistic partner Teri Jean Breitbach. The two performed exclusively as a duo until the 1990's, when they began to incorporate musicians and other puppeteers. In addition to creating all of the puppets and scenery for Eulenspiegel productions, Monica Leo also makes dolls, creates block prints, and writes about puppetry in the Midwest for The Puppetry Journal, a national magazine published by Puppeteers of America.
EDWIN GIL
Edwin Gil is an avid social activist and uses his art to bridge cultures and diverse groups living in the U.S. His Con ‘A’ de Arte (A For Art) and Art Si (Art Yes) through the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, connects youth and promotes art as a vehicle to affect positive change in the community. Gil’s Home Sweet Home project achieved critical acclaim by actively involving the children of the Charlotte school system in the creation of a giant mural. As a result of this project, Gil met with then Senator of New York and current Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and presented her with one of his paintings.
Edwin has overcome numerous obstacles to become one of America’s premier Latino Artists. In his Faces of Diversity Project, Edwin shares his story of triumph and how it helped shape his idea of social awareness through art. Edwin takes you on his journey across Europe with his Nuestra Bandera, Nuestro Pais, Nuestro Hogar (Our Flag, Our Country, Our Home) project with images and music as he tells the stories of the more than 25,000 people who participated in his global art project. Most recently, Edwin toured North Carolina with his Flag of Hope collecting handprints, stories and memories to make the nation’s first ever flag made with the handprints of North Carolinians. With these types of adventures behind him, Edwin is sure to motivate and spread his message of hope to all that encounter this feel good presentation.
Edwin has overcome numerous obstacles to become one of America’s premier Latino Artists. In his Faces of Diversity Project, Edwin shares his story of triumph and how it helped shape his idea of social awareness through art. Edwin takes you on his journey across Europe with his Nuestra Bandera, Nuestro Pais, Nuestro Hogar (Our Flag, Our Country, Our Home) project with images and music as he tells the stories of the more than 25,000 people who participated in his global art project. Most recently, Edwin toured North Carolina with his Flag of Hope collecting handprints, stories and memories to make the nation’s first ever flag made with the handprints of North Carolinians. With these types of adventures behind him, Edwin is sure to motivate and spread his message of hope to all that encounter this feel good presentation.
Thank you to our conference sponsor,
Stanley Museum of Art at the University of Iowa
Stanley Museum of Art at the University of Iowa
Keep reading for more detailed information. For questions or to join the committee contact [email protected]. For help with registration contact [email protected]
