Catoosa Schools Superintendent Denia Reese, Woodruff Arts Center President and CEO Joseph Bankoff, Ringgold High School principal Sharon Vaughn and Dr. Larry Bunch, from left, celebrate Bunch’s being named one of the state’s top arts educators.
Contributed PhotoLocal artists, educators and students have benefited from Dr. Larry Bunch’s dedication to advancing the appreciation and creation of visual arts for more than 30 years.
Last week, his commitment to meld art and basic education was rewarded when Bunch was named one of five recipients from among more than 230 nominations of the Woodruff Salutes Georgia Arts in Education Leaders program for 2011.
Joseph Bankoff, president and CEO of the Atlanta-based Woodruff Arts Center, said part of that organization’s mission is not only to acknowledge excellence in the arts but also excellence in using arts in education, and that this program is “a recognition, not a competition.”
Bankoff spotlighted Bunch’s efforts to integrate visual art into the curriculum of K-5 classrooms, championing of arts education throughout the community and founding of a summer arts camp.
“It is a real privilege to recognize those throughout the state who contribute to the community, the children and the future,” he said. “The arts are important not only in and of themselves, they can be a tool to change the learning environment.”