District 300 Foundation Hosts 2018 Otto Cultural Arts on the Fox

Algonquin, IL—The School District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence will present its annual Otto Cultural Arts on the Fox Open House April 20-21, 2018. Held in the former Illinois Iron & Bolt Foundry building along the Fox River in historic Old Town Carpentersville, the event will showcase outstanding student artwork from all of District 300’s 26 schools, plus its charter school.

More than 1,000 pieces of 2- and 3-dimensional student artwork will be on display. With the recent return of an elementary art curriculum to the district after a decades-long absence, District 300 Coordinator of Fine Arts Sheila Crotty-Kagan said, the display will be an especially rich representation of the district’s talent.

“Cultural Arts on the Fox exemplifies the progression of learning from elementary school all the way through high school for students in District 300,” Crotty-Kagan said. “Now that elementary art has had almost two years to grow and flourish, it is very important to the District that we give our youngest students this outlet to showcase their talents and demonstrate the positive impact of our elementary art program.”

Middle school and high school students also will display some truly exemplary pieces of work, Crotty-Kagan said. ”The quality of artworks our students are creating is truly impressive,” she said, “and being able to give students this avenue to showcase their talents and receive this recognition will continue to grow their enthusiasm for creating art.”

Awards will be granted to the top pieces at each middle and high school. In addition, the American Academy of Art will graciously award three Summer Studio Scholarship opportunities to talented high school students.

District 300 officials expressed thanks to Otto Engineering for graciously allowing the Foundation to hold the event in its scenic venue.

“The arts are so important to a community, bringing everyone together in such a meaningful way,” said Diane Magerko, who chairs the District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence Performing & Fine Arts Committee.

The Cultural Arts on the Fox open house will take place on Friday, April 20, from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 21, from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the former Illinois Iron & Bolt Foundry building at 100 S. Lincoln Ave., Carpentersville, part of the Otto Engineering complex. Admission to the event is $1, and all donations will benefit the Carpentersville Boys and Girls Club.

For more information, please contact Diane Magerko at (847) 532-6602 or diane.magerko@d300.org. To view previous Cultural Arts on the Fox performances and artwork, visit the foundation’s website at www.d300foundation.org.

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About the School District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence

The mission of the School District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence is to enhance and extend learning opportunities for all students in D300, which serves more than 20,000 students and is one of the largest districts in the state. Since its founding in 2002, the Foundation has raised well over half a million dollars for District 300 schools and students. The Foundation focuses on four areas of impact: Literacy, Performing and Fine Arts, Science and Technology, and Student Leadership.

Funding for the Foundation is raised through corporate partnerships, private donations, and Foundation events. View some of the projects and grants the D300 Foundation has funded by visiting www.d300foundation.org.