The Marshall Fund for the Creative Arts inspires Applewild with its artist-in-residence programs.
The Marshall Fund For The Creative Arts is committed to giving hands-on creative experiences in visual arts, dance, drama, music and creative writing to Applewild students. Bill and Donna Marshall created the fund in 2001 for the purpose of leaving a legacy in the creative arts for the Applewild community. Bill Marshall was retiring as Head of School, and Donna had recently retired as lower school Art teacher.
In order to choose an artist for a residency, a committee comprised of faculty members reviews proposals that have been submitted by parents, trustees, community members and teachers. Members of this committee include heads of school, representatives from visual arts, drama and music departments, and teachers of a multiple of grade levels and subject areas. Each proposal ias reviewed by the Marshall Fund Committee in terms of the artist’s ability to meet the criteria established by the fund.
The residency must be a hands-on experience for children, enrich the current curriculum and allow for follow-up activities. Residencies can vary in length and in artistic discipline. Visual artists, dancers, puppeteers, and musicians have visited Applewild and shared their craft. During Applewild’s Jubilee year last year, ceramic muralist Rob Rossel worked with the entire Applewild community to create two tile nature murals consisting of over 400 tiles created by students and staff. These murals can be seen in the foyers of the Ansin and Marshall buildings.
In the fall of 2008, the Marshall fund sponsored Len Cabral, story weaver extraordinaire, for a two-day residency at Applewild. Len was awarded the Circle of Excellence in Storytelling award in 2001. He is considered a master storyteller. Our focus for the Marshall Fund this year is the performing arts. We plan to bring in an assortment of artists for short-term residencies throughout the school year.