The
Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is pleased to be the
recipient of a $2,500 grant from Umpqua Bank in support of the 2015 Art of the
Story Festival. This 11th annual festival will once again serve as a local
celebration of national library week, April 11–18, and will feature five
master storytellers.
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Gabe
Norris, AVP and Store Manager of Tualatin Umpqua Bank awards the $2,500 check
to Julie Wickman, a member of the WCCLS Art of the Story Festival planning
committee, and Library Program Specialist with the Tualatin Public Library.
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A goal of the festival is to foster an appreciation for the role that the oral storytelling tradition plays within families, communities and cultures. The festival draws the generations together from across Washington County and beyond. It is a true community festival - attendees follow from venue to venue - building friendships, exploring communities and enjoying each of the 15+ customized performances.
Nicole Stein,
Vice President of Community Responsibility with Umpqua Bank explains the banks
support, sharing that “as the west coast’s largest community bank, Umpqua Bank
believes that we have an obligation to support local communities and invest in
their future. We know the critical role that education plays in the long-term
success of youth and are excited to be able to support the Art of the
Story Festival, especially since storytelling is a great way to build
vocabulary and enhance literacy for youth in our communities.”
The festival format provides a foundation for cultural learning, offering storytelling workshops, a story swap and a museum partnership with a family history gathering workshop. Prior years have included historical recounting of WWII internment and 442nd military tales, personal adventure and ghost stories, stories from a range of cultures, including Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Latino, African, Native American, and Jewish.
The WCCLS Art of the Story Festival provides region-wide exposure and continues to build audience and prestige. Admission is always free and programs are designed for adults, and where noted, appropriate for ages 6+.
Mark your
calendar now for this annual tradition: April 11–18, 2015. It is already a
favorite of over 1,500 attendees from throughout our community. Bookmark the festival web page to stay up to date on
the latest details: www.wccls.org/festival.
