MIAMI BEACH, FL (APRIL 19, 2007)—Ten unique books created by fourth- through sixth-grade students at Miami-Dade public schools will be on display in the lobby of The Wolfsonian–Florida International University from May 3 to 20, 2007. The books are the final product of Page at a Time, an innovative, interdisciplinary arts-education program created in 1996 by The Wolfsonian in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The Page at a Time program is made possible by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Division of Life Skills; Citigroup Foundation; and Carnival Foundation.

The books displayed this year explore a variety of issues ranging from the destruction of the rainforests, to the war in Iraq, to the positive and negative effects of technological advancements, and even the “evils of the Internet.” The books are entirely student-created, from the text to the artwork to the varied formats, and are made out of cardboard, plaster, wire, organic plants, and an assortment of other creative materials.

As part of the preparation for creating the books, the students who visited The Wolfsonian three times beginning in October 2006 received tours of the collection and participated in hands-on activities in history, language arts, and visual arts. The students then worked collaboratively in their classes to identify a conflict and develop a visual concept for addressing the subject, including deciding on a format for their book such as accordion book, flip book, bound book, or loose portfolio. Each student then created his or her own page of the book as part of the class project.

Each year different schools participate in Page at a Time, which is jointly taught by classroom and art teachers, in conjunction with Wolfsonian staff members and core teachers. This year’s participating schools were: Biscayne Gardens Elementary, Hialeah Elementary School, Norma Butler Bassard Elementary, South Pointe Elementary School, Riviera Middle School, and Shenandoah Middle Museums Magnet School.

“Page at a Time is a very strong interdisciplinary program and a great model for museum-based education. During the program, students learn about specific topics such as history, visual arts, and writing, as well as art books, museums, and the interconnections between these topics. Students then apply their new knowledge to a creative project,” notes Mark Osterman, The Wolfsonian’s education programs manager. “It’s fun for the students and invigorating for the educators. The exhibition, located in the lobby of the museum, is a great experience for the students and their families.”

A Family Funday celebrating this exhibition will take place on Sunday, May 6 from noon to 4:00pm at The Wolfsonian. This fun-filled afternoon is geared toward children ages five and up, and includes storytelling, movie screenings, gallery tours, and a hands-on workshop where children create their own books and cards. The event is free and open to the public.

About The Wolfsonian–Florida International University
The Wolfsonian–FIU is a museum and research center that uses objects to illustrate the persuasive power of art and design to explore what it means to be modern, and to tell the story of social, political, and technological changes that have transformed the world. The approximately 120,000 artifacts that comprise The Wolfsonian collection range from fine art, graphic design, and political propaganda to furniture, rare books, and ephemeral materials such as postcards and travel brochures. Since opening to the public just ten years ago, The Wolfsonian has developed and disseminated critically acclaimed exhibitions, publications, and educational programs that highlight the impact of design in shaping the modern world. Its vast patrimony of primary source materials provides unparalleled opportunities for scholarship and appreciation, making it a unique resource for local, national, and international audiences.

The Wolfsonian is located at 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Fla. Admission is $7 adults; $5 seniors, students, and children six-12; free for Wolfsonian members, State University System of Florida staff and students with ID, children under six, and Miami Beach residents with ID. The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from noon-6pm; Thursday and Friday from noon-9pm; and is closed on Wednesday. Contact us at 305.531.1001 or visit us online at www.wolfsonian.org.

The Wolfsonian receives ongoing support from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council; Crispin Porter + Bogusky; Continental Airlines, the preferred airline of The Wolfsonian; the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation; and Karla Conceptual Event Experiences.

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