MIAMI BEACH, FL (May 5, 2009)―Thirteen unique books created by Miami-Dade County Public Schools fourth- and fifth-grade students exploring a variety of issues ranging from global warming to political debates will be on display in the lobby of The Wolfsonian–Florida International University from Thursday, May 7 through Sunday, June 7, 2009. The books are the final product of Page at a Time, an extremely effective and long-running interdisciplinary arts-education program created in 1997 by The Wolfsonian in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

The books are entirely student-created, from the text to the artwork, to the varied formats, and are made out of cardboard, wood, hand-made paper, and an assortment of other creative materials. As part of the preparation for creating the books, the students who visited The Wolfsonian a number of times beginning in October 2008 received tours of the collection and participated in hands-on activities in history, language arts, and visual arts. The students 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 a flip book, bound book, loose portfolio, or some conceptual shape. 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 are: Ada Merritt K-8 Center, Gertrude K Edelman-Sabal Palm Elementary, South Pointe Elementary, Southside Elementary, and Wesley Mathews Elementary.

Page at a Time — the book— is also now available as a print-on-demand catalog titled Facing Conflict: 10 Years of Page at a Time. The seventy-page catalog documents the first ten years of the program, including photographs of all books produced in that time as well as an in-depth look at five of the books. The catalog was produced through support from Carnival Foundation.

“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 Kate Rawlinson, The Wolfsonian’s assistant director for education and public programs. “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.”

The Page at a Time program is made possible by Carnival Foundation, with special thanks to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Division of Life Skills. To learn more about Page at a Time, visit its website, www.pageatatime.org. The exhibit 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, FL. Admission is $7 for adults; $5 for seniors, students, and children age 6 -12; and free for Wolfsonian members, State University System of Florida staff and students with ID, and children under six. The Wolfsonian, presently on a Summer Schedule through October 14, 2009, is open Thursday and Friday from noon-9pm (galleries close at 7pm on Thursday); Saturday and Sunday from noon-6pm; and is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Contact us at 305.531.1001 or visit us online at www.wolfsonian.org for further information.

The Wolfsonian–FIU receives ongoing support from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council; the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council; the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation; William J. and Tina Rosenberg Foundation; Continental Airlines, the Official Airline of The Wolfsonian–FIU; The Miami Herald; Miami.com; Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.; Robert Mondavi Winery; and Pistils & Petals.

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