Art teachersLinda Hoskins(Manor Woods Elementary School) and Laverne Miers-Bond(Marriotts Ridge High School)created an unique collaboration between their elementary and high school students that made art come to life.
Manor Woods first-graders were asked to create a collage ofanimaginary creature. Next, selected collages were sent to Marriotts Ridge High School, where students in the Gifted and Talented Art classes created a sculptural representation of the first-gradestudents' collage, a sculpture of a companion creature and a story about the two creatures.
The collaboration culminated with art pieces displayed in Marriotts Ridge media center and rave reviews from parents, students and staff.
"The resulting works are really interesting and beautiful," said Kristin Schneider, mom to Manor Woods Elementary first-grader Jenning Schneider who participated in the art program.
She told me "this sort of collaboration is rare between these age groups, and I would love to encourage a repeat of the project and other similar endeavors."
The United Maryland Muslim Council hosted a Community Ramadan Iftar Dinner Insha"Allah at Dar Al-Taqwa Islamic Center in Ellicott City. The interfaith event brought together elected officials, neighbors and faith leaders to celebrate together with the Muslim community the blessings of the month of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer.
Ellicott City resident Rizwan Siddiqi, who serves as council president, presided over the dinner program that included speeches from Rabbi Susan Grossman, Beth Shalom Congregation in Columbia, Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat, Civilizations Exchange & Cooperation Foundation president and Father William Au, Shrine of The Sacred Heart pastor representing the archdioceses of Baltimore.
The speeches were informative and profound. Muslim leaders explained the history and significance of Ramadan, while the faith leaders celebrated the commonalities with their Muslim brothers and sisters.
I heard a wonderful story about St. Francis of Assisi's daring mission in 1219 A.D. during the fifth crusade to visit the Islamic leader, the Sultan of Egypt. The story of how these two religious leaders collaborated during an interfaith war, in search of peace and common ground, was a timely message.
In fact, a docudrama about this encounter, 'The Sultan and the Saint,' just finished filming in Baltimore recently. When the film hits the screens, the faith leaders are planning an interfaith program to view the movie. In addition, there are interfaith community lectures planned for this Fall. I will post more information about these community events as it becomes available.