School Projects

Washington, D.C. 1992: "Columbus Legacy: Hopes, Dreams, and Reality"

Funded by:

• Montgomery County Schools
• Capital Children's Museum
• Russian Delegation of Teachers and Students
• Italian Ministry of Education

The Columbus education program began with a small scale pilot program at Luxmanor Elementary School in Rockville, Maryland. A resource specialist with previous experience in Columbus instruction seminars conducted a workshop for the Luxmanor teachers who were to participate in the project. In subsequent weeks, the topic of Columbus became a relevant component of the Luxmanor students' lessons in math, science, social studies and other subjects. In conjunction with this instruction, Luxmanor's art teacher worked with the students to develop projects that would further explore the Columbus themes studied and create the basis for an exhibition. The Luxmanor children's artwork formed the first of the "Columbus Legacy" exhibitions, which were held at the Capital Children's Museum in January 1992. Congresswoman Constance Morella, honorary chairperson of the exhibition, officially opened the show with a private presentation and reception. The guests included trustees of the Museum, representatives of the National Education Association and the National Parent Teacher Association, and prominent members of the Italian American, Hispanic American and Native American communities, as well as the young artists and their parents. During the opening of the show, NIAF Vice Chairman Arthur J. Gajarsa presented Luxmanor's principal with a check for $500 to be used for the purchase of books on Christopher Columbus.