Yard Art Competition
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Drexel Foundation’s YARD ART competition offering solutions to local needs. Kindness in the air, create art in your yard could win you $100 cash prize
Drexel Foundation’s YARD ART competition theme of Kindness is offering solutions to local needs. Kindness in the air, families can create art in their own yard. “We know that our community partners, home-schooling parents and teachers are facing challenges and as a nation we are in a unique time with the current health & community “stay at home” situation.” Said Sandijean Fuson, President of the foundation. “We asked what our organization could do and in consultation with teachers and school administrators to provide some relieve to the current challenge, DREXEL Foundation created a “Yard Art Competition” with a $100 cash prize that we hope will engage youth and families in a positive way to embrace art and a positive message, “Kindness”.” Said Fuson.
The Drexel Foundation Art programs & multi-cultural events provide an opportunity for children to expand their minds, improve self esteem, and positive self expression. Annual art programs are free to all children, regardless of where they live. The Drexel Foundations art programming developed over the years in response to suggestions of identified need. There is a need to fill and Drexel has used a creative approach to re-configure their FREE art programming and support teachers and parents work while the students are not physically in the classroom. “We believe a solid education and positive reinforcement helps build better citizens and this competition has been shared with the schools throughout the region Malheur, Harney, Union , Grant and Baker counites for them to use in any manner educators feel is helpful to this unique challenge in education and bring a positive message to students about “kindness.” Our mantra is “You Matter! You are important! Tu Importas!” Fuson said. Drexel H Foundation has for over 20 years promoted culture with art & heritage programs for youth and families by providing quality FREE multi-disciplined Art programs, and opportunities for children. They build audiences in After-School Family program, promote the performing and visual arts in August Art Camp, Teen Film Project & Talent Show to an underserved, rural area by providing a resource for local children to learn art and improve self esteem. Drexel provides a mechanism for citizenship and community art awareness in the Art in the Park on Flag Day program by rewarding youth for improving Vale’s park and creating mini murals. They work with the schools in a Certificate of Achievement program which honors outstanding performance in citizenship, scholastic or artistic achievement with a FREE movie day for the kids who view prior films made by youth for the Drexel Children’s Festival. Drexel supplies FREE gently used tuxedos & prom dresses in exchange for a volunteer pledge to help at community events to inspire volunteerism in our youth and inspire sustainability practices. They create a movie at the crash course in film-making, where ages youth thru adults
create a movie in 2 hours, using local murals and a green screen. The film created is premiered during the Children's Film Festival & Film-maker's Competition, and its used in other programming. Every June the Art Beat on Main Street Event is held on the authentic Oregon trail, includes heritage tours of the National Registered properties Grand Opera House (circa 1895) & the Vale Hotel ( circa 1908),free music performances, vendors focused on art and community health resources. This event brings forth cultural enrichment, engagement in heritage, build audiences, art appreciation and promotes personal growth and community pride. Drexel Foundation has accomplished sustainable cultural opportunities and advancement in art education for youth in this rural underserved region.
The rules for this “Yard Art Competition” with a $100 cash prize are pretty simple and can be found along with the registration sheet at www.thedrexelfoundation.org. “similar to our other programing this competition has 4 age categories so that the entire family can participate.” Said Sandijean. The Age categories are: 4-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-up
Each age category 1st place wins a sack with over $50 in prizes & gift certificates ! Best of Show wins $100 cash. All entries are to be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., of course one “Need not be present to win.” The idea is that in your own yard and with social distancing in mind, art can still flourish. The yard art can be in any visual format ( paint , sculpture, recycled items, stacked rocks) The theme is kindness, it can be about kindness to others, kindness to animals, kindness to the world, kindness …what that means to you. Remember the art must be rated G and the viewing of this art is “for kids, by kids and with kids in mind. To enter this chance to win $100, submit your photo of the area of the yard “before” do your ART and then create your art, then submit your “after photo” of the Yard Art you created to compete! Youth Must have parental permission before starting and in order to compete and have the signed artist registration submitted with the photo of your art by the ENTRY DEADLINE of APRIL 8, 2020. The winners will be announced on Earth Day April 22nd. Drexel Foundations Mission: is to enrich the lives of youth & families by providing art, humanities and multi-cultural experiences and to restore & preserve historical buildings in rural eastern Oregon. Their Moto: “Of your own personal Strength you can accomplish anything!” Drexel’s Mantra is : You Matter, You Are Important! Tu Importas!
Formal Closet
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Drexel Foundation “Formal Closet”
Gives Local Students FREE Homecoming Dresses in Exchange For Volunteering in Drexel’s Art Programs & Community Events.
Drexel H. Foundation has been gathering gently used prom dresses & other formal attire since 2004. In exchange for pledging to volunteer their time and skills to any Drexel events, treasure valley area students can earn a homecoming or prom dress or formal evening wear for FREE . By appointment these student can view & try on the many dresses in the closet. If you are interested, all you have to do is have a parent or guardian accompany you when you pick out your dress, so call the Drexel Foundation office at 541-473-3470 and leave a message of a preferred time you are available to view & try on dresses. Please be sure to leave your name, year in school, and a return phone number so Drexel staff can confirm the scheduled appointment to view the dresses on that scheduled date. The Drexel Foundation’s Formal Closet has all sizes from size 2 to 26 and a huge variety of colors and styles, certainly every girl can find one that fits. The Drexel H. Foundation is a non-profit organization, that provides FREE youth & family art, heritage & cultural programs. This program is available to any girl from rural eastern Oregon or Western Idaho who has time to donate or skills to offer in our local area to promote the arts and culture. The volunteers will be asked to assist with one of the programs during the busy Drexel H. Foundation’s Art Season, and if they are from rural Eastern Oregon, or Idaho we can work out a community service project in their area for the free dress. There are plenty of fun jobs to volunteer for everything from making posters & graphic artists, copying, organizing games & dances for the kids, creating fun workshops to painting the park. Mark you calenders now for the Drexel Foundation’s upcoming events, Engaging Young Voices Public Art opening Oct 9th, Volunteer Appreciation reception Oct 28th, Free Drexel movies & shorts on Halloween day Oct 31st 3-5pm at the Rex Theater. Bookmark the 2020 many Summer Art programs starting in June with Art Beat on Main Street Dance & Art Fair, Art in The Park on Flag Day, and August Art Camp and the Annual Talent Show, and the Sept. Crash Course in Film. Don’t forget the Children’s Film Festival, “for kids, by kids and with kids in mind,” competition held each September at the Rex Theater. All these free events provide an opportunity for our local children to expand their minds, increase self esteem, and have positive influences and self expression all while learning the meaning of a community. If you would like to donate, volunteer or if you have any questions, please call Sandijean Fuson at (541) 473-3470. The community events put on by the foundation are successful in large part to the time and care of the volunteers. They are always looking for others to help, and engage & involve the community by volunteering at the Drexel Foundation Events.
Film Festival 2019
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Drexel Foundation’s 13th Annual Children’s Film Festival & Film-maker Competition premiers many local films for Kids by kids and with kids in mind including the world premier of “InvinciVale”
The Drexel H. Foundation's 13th film festival competition had another successful year with entries from many Western Treasure Valley artists. The film competition 1st place winner in the Youth 4-11 category sponsored by Oregon Shakespeare Festival & Morrison Center was Courage by Juliette Freeman. Taking 2nd place was Rayanna’s First Flight to Alaska by Rayanna Hansen. 3rd place was Sydney’s Show by Sydney Hansen. In the 12- 14 age category Sponsored by TVCC Foundation & Bogus Basin 1st place went to The Nerf Heist by Tiego Newton. 2nd place went to The Movie By Cody Smithies. Liar is Not Wiser took 3rd place by Kaydra Stewart, Hannah, Rebekah, Rayanna, Abigail, Benjamin, Gideon, & Lydia Hansen, ages 3-13. In the 15- 19 category sponsored by Ontario Auto Ranch & Boise Hawks 1st place winner was The need for a Recycling Center in Vale by: Jennifer Zanabriga and second place was Snowboard Battle: Andrew vs. Sam By Sam McLaughlin. The Adults 20+ category sponsored by Idaho Power & Malheur Country Historical Society first place winner was For Jane by Kody Newton. Winning 2nd place was Driving With Mom by Noah Carlson & Sam McLaughlin. Third place was a Door 7 by Kody Newton. All participants received a trophy and a prize bag full of cool prizes donated by the 2019 sponsors listed in the program. Also, the first place winners in each category won a minimum of $50.00 in gift cards & certificates. The “Best of Show”$100 cash prize went to the film that was the judges favorite & most memorable of all entries. This year the youth film Courage took home the highest honors trophy and cash.
Everyone enjoyed a lovely night of new films for kids by kids and with kids in mind. During the awards special attention was given to thank all Drexel Foundation sponsors & donors during the 2019 year. At the film maker’s Reception sponsored by Steven Kinder and Carlson Law Office there was mingling among the filmmakers and comments about the wide participation with films from all over the Western Treasure Valley, Boise, Payette, Kuna as well as Malheur County. Much conversation was about the unique special effects in the crash course film from its participants creating the new movie “InvinciVale”.
There were numerous door prizes won. There was a special thanks to Phill Stucker for his writing, directing, shooting and editing this year’s crash course film. The crash course participants ranged in ages from 6 - 60, and were all involved as actors, sound technicians , lighting, grips, production assistants, cameramen, costume, and technical crew. Director Phill Stucker, Screenwriter Phll Stucker; Assistant Director Sam McLaughlin, Camera #1 Phill Stucker, Camera #2 Kelsey Tolman, Camera #3 Sam McLaughlin. Actors: Lauren Blesoe, Ezekiel Fuson, Willow Fuson, Jaxen Hansen, Kohen Payne, Hypatia Rounds, Cody Smithies, Connor Yardley, & Ron Smith. Grips: Angela Smith, Sandijean Fuson, Noah Carlson, Caleb Voechting, Mike McLaughlin, Clap Board: Noah Carlson & Jayden Hansen, Documentary camera: Ezekiel Fuson, Props costumes & security: Steven Smithies, Griff Hansen, Mike McLaughlin, Sandijean Fuson, Kelsey Tolman and Angela Smith. Editor Phill Stucker. Each year a new film is created at the Annual Drexel Foundation Crash Course in Film-making, held FREE each Sept. at the 1914 Historic Rex Theater in Vale Oregon.“The group of participates got to create this super hero style movie incorporating the Vale murals with their input and thoughts in a short 2 hours. It was a very funny video and unique. Every year the crash course film is different, but a few kids have grownup on screen being involved since they were quite young. Special Thanks to The Rex Theater, and Vale Mural Society for creating great public art in Vale, and super thanks to Phill Stucker for his editing skills, directing and music and to Sam McLaughlin for his lighting & green screens knowledge” said Sandijean Fuson, President of Drexel Foundation.
After the awards the final segment of the event was a showing of past movies created at the crash course. It was another highlight of the film festival. The special Presentation showcases where the audience laughed & enjoyed the showing of the past 4 years crash course films Vanishing Vortex, and all three films in the “Thunderchicken” series. All this years films will soon be found for viewing at under the video tab of “Children’s Film Festival & Film Makers Competition” entries, on the website www.thedrexelfoundation.org. The next three events the Drexel Foundation will sponsor is the Fall Celebration of the Volunteers, and the Free Halloween movie at the Vale Downtown trick or treat on 10/31/from 3-5, and the annual Open House on Dec. 31st 9-12 at the Grand Opera House and Vale Hotel. “Much thanks goes to Phill Stucker, the volunteers and the businesses and individuals who give their time, money and donations to help make the Free Drexel Art Programs & community events worthwhile.” said Fuson. If you would like to teach a class, give your time, help with restoration, donate prizes, or find out more about the Drexel Foundation call Kelsey or Sandijean Fuson at (541) 473-3470 or visit www.thedrexelfoundation.org.
Drexel H. Foundation offers FREE Crash Course
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Drexel H. Foundation offers FREE Crash Course in Film/Video Sept. 4th , Followed By premier of the film On Sept. 14th
The Drexel H. Foundation presents a “Crash Course in Film Making,” on Sept. 4th which will be taught by film maker Phill Stucker. What is the crash course? Ages youth thru adults create a movie in 2 hours, using local murals and a green screen. The film created is premiered during the"Children's Film Festival & Film-maker's Competition.
The Crash Course in Video & Film is Free ages 5 & up are invited. The crash course is a unique event and is open to all people no matter where they reside in Oregon or Idaho. Everyone gets to be involved as actors, sound, light, camera, and technical crew. It all starts at 6:00pm at Vale’s Rex Theater and will conclude approximately 8:30pm that night.
This year the crash course shall again incorporate new ideas for a new characters, the basics of video creation and teach the participants about “green screen” film projects. Pre-registration for participants is recommended but not required. The registration form can be found at the Drexel Foundation website www.thedrexelfoundation/events/crashcourseinfilmaking.org . Every year the actors improvise and create the dialogue as they go based around the groups idea for a plot line.
“The group of participates get to create the movie with their input and thoughts that day, so every year it is different because different people are involved. There is a small group of returning participants that are now teenagers, and college students who started when they were young. They bring a unique continuity to the group. Each year they build upon the experience & advance in their skills. It is a great thing to see the growth in these young artists.” said Sandijean Fuson, President of Drexel Foundation. There have been a variety of professional film makers over the last 13years helping with this event, but a crowd favorite due to his outstanding ability to teach and great sense of humor is Phill Stucker.
Professional film maker Phill Stucker graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana with a degree in filmmaking. Since graduating college Phill has been working for Powerfields Company, he is part of the marketing & web design. Phill uses animation to create advertising videos. He has been animating films and winning film awards since the age of 15. He won the Drexel H. Foundation film festival Best of Show 3 consecutive years in a row with his unique comedic films. His list of Drexel Film Festival award winning films include: 10 Speed Insanity, Keep it Clean Music Video, The Great Museum Robbery, Don’t Cry Out, and We Didn’t Start the Fire. He has won numerous awards including 1st place in Animation & winner of Audience Choice at the BSU Film Festival in 2008, with Don’t Cry Out. A band from San Diego commissioned Phill to animate Keep it clean music video, which has been showcased at film festivals from London to New York City, as well as Los Angeles, California. His senior thesis film Entropy won “best sound design” at Montana State University senior film competition, in which it was nominated for 8 out of 12 categories, including “Best Director and Best Picture”. In 2013 Phill was the guest artist and taught the animation workshop at the Drexel August Art Camp.
Phill was the past Crash Course in Film guest artist during, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2018. He is an exceptional editor and familiar with fx in filmmaking including green screen. His animated character Thunder Chicken created in 2013 is a favorite of many local children. Many children who enjoyed performing or working on Thunder Chicken came to the crash course the following years to create two more films Thunderchicken II Back for Seconds and Thunderchicken III Iguana Go Home.
Last years participants through Stucker’s guidance and editing created Para-annoyed a comedic spoof on ghost hunters. With the ghosts turning the tables it gave a new perspective of how scary & annoying all the ghost hunters are to them. It was a fun plot line created by the crash course crew. It can be viewed at the Drexel Foundation website http://www.thedrexelfoundation.org/videos/crash-course-films
The Crash Course on Sept. 4th gives the participants options to learn and o what interests then. They learn about basic plot, lighting, and camera shot training. “After this exposure to video & film art they can go home, back to their clubs, church or classroom and create their own movie to enter into the upcoming film festival competition. Many have seen samples of these youth films at the Drexel Certificate of Achievement events and enjoy seeing youth their own age in the crash course films” said Fuson. There is no entry fee to participate in either the crash course nor to enter a film into the Drexel Foundation’s Annual “Children’s Film Festival” competition by the deadline of Sept. 8th.
The Drexel Foundation is now accepting films for the competition. The Sept 8th deadline is quickly approaching. Films must be family appropriate, rated G to PG. There are four (4) age categories, 4-11, 12-14, 15-19 and 20 & up, with 1st place winners in each category winning a $25 gift certificate and the best overall film winning “Best of Show” wins $100 cash, there are trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for each age category and all participants win prizes. One does not need to be present to win! To enter mail or drop off submitted films and registrations at 301 A St, Vale, OR 97918. For more information contact Kelsey Tolman or Sandijean Fuson and leave a message at 541-473-3470.