Dear Denise,
On behalf of the Ridgewood Park and Recreation Department, I applaud you for your excellent Art Ed (Arts Enlightenment for Children) program which has been offered to Ridgewood students, through our Department, since the Fall of 1998.
Until that time, our after-school arts and crafts program offerings were geared to children 8 years of age and older. The addition of your program, for children ages 5 through 12, enabled younger students to participate in an inspiring course designed to introduce them to the world of art.
We have received many compliments from parents, who commented that along with being educational, it was also fun for their child. Its popularity is evidenced by the steady increase in enrollment over the past two years. We look forward to continued success of your program.
As an art history lecturer in New Jersey for the past twenty years, in France for ten with Tour de France Ltd., and before that as Education Curator for the Utah Museum of Fine Arts in Salt Lake City, Utah and member of a panel for the National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, D.C. I was asked to look over the material being used by Denise Federico’s Art Docent Company in the young people’s programs.
I am strongly in favor of programs that acquaint students of all ages with works of major artists of all periods and all countries and that, in addition, encourage young people to express their own artistic ideas and enlarge their skills. Art Programs of this kind, that work within the framework of the current core arts curriculum, but extend the arts experience through hands-on experimentation and art historical discussion, are of great benefit to all communities.
I have looked over the materials used by Denise Federico and her docents and found them factually correct and interestingly presented. Through my contact with Denise Federico I am aware that the Art Docent Company is constantly expanding and refining its material in an ongoing commitment to an evolving program.
Just wanted to let you know how much my daughter, Rosie, enjoyed your art class offered through the Parks and Recreation Department. The Docent, Joan Kokaska, was wonderful with the children and had a thorough knowledge of art history. The projects were varied and were fun while also being instructional. I would recommend the class.
Just a little note to thank you for the wonderful Art Education Program at the Stable. Drew has learned so much and really enjoyed his time spent there. Your efforts are truly appreciated.
Dear “MISS Denise,”
Thank you so much for your wonderful art lessons! Rebecca and Molly really enjoyed learning about art history in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. And the art they created each week was perfectly tied in to the lesson. You have a marvelous personality for teaching children. Your painstaking preparation for each lesson was clearly evident. My girls will not be taking more lessons this spring because of sports conflicts, but we wish you all the best and hope to see you again.
Dear Denise and Lou,
Wow what an enthusiastic and informative presentation of Art History you offered to our students! The kids really enjoyed the hands-on painting project, and created beautiful art. Thank you so much for sharing your time and talent with our kids. I wish you continued success in sharing your knowledge of the arts with our kids!
Hello Denise, February 2020
I am thrilled to hear about your web-based curriculum. Having worked with art educators on incorporating multicultural curricula for various practical reasons, I have found that teachers often feel underprepared and uncomfortable about teaching multicultural art. I appreciate how how your online resource encourages a more in sequential and depth integration of culture in curricula, inclusive of several key dimensions of multicultural education throughout history. Thank you for sharing your work- bravo!
With gratitude,
Anna P – Art Educator/Santa Barbara Unified School District
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