When FestivalSouth® returns this summer with Artie Events for Families, some new and familiar faces will take them help in events for Pine Belt families. Coordinating the popular Artie Event Series is Jennifer Timidaiski with assistance from Eli Dailey. Ellen Hunter Ruffin returns to lead Artie Reads and Calvin Bogan Sr. takes the helm of Festival Z Events for Youth.
“We are thrilled to have these incredible educators and leaders join our ranks,” said Dr. Mike Lopinto, co-artistic director of the festival. “Our youth are the future of our community and giving them every opportunity to experience the incredibly artistic treasures.”
Jennifer Timidaiski is currently the music teacher at Oak Grove Longleaf Elementary in Hattiesburg, MS. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in choral conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi. Eli Dailey is an elementary music teacher at Oak Park Elementary School and an assistant band director at Laurel High school in Laurel, MS. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Artie Events for Families are daytime educational events, created with special consideration of the specific learning styles of children, ages 2-12, and appeal to the entire family. They provide opportunities for participants to fully experience the arts through all senses, often with hands-on opportunities. Artie events help fulfill our mission by exposing our youth to the arts, encouraging an appreciation for the arts through education, and planting seeds for future arts enthusiasts. Similarly, Artie Reads bring a wide range of literature to children of the Pine Belt through unique experiences with guest readers to reinforce that reading is an important and lifelong skill.
“I am most looking forward to watching children play, create, explore, and imagine through the arts at our events,” said Timidaiski. Dailey added, “I am grateful for the opportunity to spread the joy of music to children of the Pine Belt area!”
Calvin Bogan Sr. is currently the Youth Pastor at West Point Church. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Jackson State University and is looking forward to seeing students learn to recognize and appreciate all art forms from traditional to TikTok!
FestivalZ Events for Teens are specifically designed for the independent and creative minds of the upcoming generation of young adults.
No matter what the precautionary restrictions may or may not be in place by June 2022, the core mission to transcend social, cultural, and economic lines remains intact. All youth programming events are sponsored by Jones Companies, Mississippi Power, Mississippi Music, Hattiesburg Clinic, Gold Peak Tea and Lamar County.
For more information, visit festivalsouth.org.
