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THE VIOLETTE DE MAZIA FOUNDATION HIRES NEW YOUTH EDUCATOR FOR CHILDREN’S AESTHETIC APPRECIATION PROGRAM.

WAYNE, PA –February 5, 2010 – The Violette de Mazia Foundation is proud to introduce Ms. Elizabeth Latham, hired by the Foundation in January to teach our youth aesthetic appreciation course, the “Look and See” program, to school students throughout the Philadelphia area.

Elizabeth Latham is a native of West Chester, Pennsylvania. She attended Pennsylvania State University where she earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Art Education, and a Bachelors of Art degree in Art, with a concentration in Photographic Studies. During her collegiate studies, Elizabeth lived in Rome, Italy, where she studied Art and Art History through Temple University’s Study Abroad Program.

Elizabeth has taught art and photography to K-12 learners in urban Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, as well as Kennett Square, State College, and West Chester, Pa. Most recently Elizabeth worked with the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Center City Philadelphia where she assisted with group tour programming, and led workshops for K-12, college, and adult learners. She looks forward to the challenge of further developing a youth program in arts appreciation with the Violette de Mazia Foundation.

The Violette de Mazia Foundation is presenting its “Look and See” program for students at B.B. Comegys Elementary School in the Philadelphia School District, and at Stetser Elementary School in the Chester/Upland School District. Classes give students practice in discovering and describing aesthetic qualities in works of art and everyday experience. Students master and use specific vocabulary, write descriptions of works of art, and develop visual products to define specific concepts. Jennifer Ramsden, a participating teacher, says the program “gives the children an opportunity to experience art in a new way. They are excited about it and look forward to it each week, and so do I.”

The Violette de Mazia Foundation teaches creative understanding. We are an arts education institution sponsoring programs and activities that teach an objective approach to aesthetic appreciation. Since its establishment, the Violette de Mazia Foundation has enrolled students from all walks of life: from academics and senior citizens, to school students and prison inmates. The ideas and theories of this approach center on aesthetic understanding for everyone, regardless of academic or social standing.

For information, please contact the Violette de Mazia Foundation at 610-971-9960, e-mail LFishel@demazia.org or visit www.demazia.org.