O.P. Earle Elementary School has received a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation's Mary F. Kessler Fund to pilot a new arts project called Community Arts Evenings.   The new program creates arts programming and receptions to coincide with local artist exhibits in our school's gallery.  With public performances at the Landrum Library, artist's residencies and art exhibits, the grant will provide opportunities in the arts that will improve the quality of life for all our local citizens.   The first artist in residence on this year's roster was Jerry Pospisil, local glass artist.

“We are so humbled and honored that the art program at O.P. Earle Elementary School has received this grant.  This grant, along with the gracious assistance of the O.P. Earle PTO, makes it possible for us to host our Artists in Residence Program.  The Artists in Residence Program provides our students with the opportunity to see different artists and their individual modes of creating art.  As a Student–Centered school district we are very fortunate to have such wonderful support for our students and the arts in District One,” said Cindy Riddle, Art Teacher at O.P. Earle Elementary.

O.P. Earle Elementary School Principal Nita High is thrilled for her school to receive such support for the Arts, "To assist our students as they learn to Become the Best that they can be a great art program is very necessary, however in a public school setting, it is also a very expensive venture.  With looming budget cuts, it is our mission to seek alternate funding for the arts so our program offerings continue to be the highest quality.  Over the years, the Polk County Community Foundation has generously provided thousands of dollars to help support special art projects for our students.  This most recent grant, along with PTO funds, provides our children a wide variety of art opportunities to help them to develop an appreciation for the arts and to help them become consumers of the arts.”