Madi Melbourne will never forget the first Children’s Art + Literacy Festival (CALF) she attended as a high school senior volunteering at the Big Country Home Educators concession stand. “It was one of the most magical experiences,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I ended up falling in love with the whole concept.” Over the next six years, Melbourne finished … [Read more...]
Children’s Art & Literacy Festival Back on Track
Postponing last year’s Children’s Art & Literacy Festival was one of the hardest decisions the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council has had to make, said Lynn Barnett, the council’s executive director. She said it was the right thing to do given that most major events across the state and U.S. were canceled due to safety concerns with the pandemic. “We missed seeing all the … [Read more...]
Volunteers Keep CALF Moo-ving
Justin Crowe is a long-time Children’s Art & Literacy Festival volunteer who has been involved from both the planning and guest experience perspectives. One of the CALF projects he is most proud of is helping create a digital scavenger hunt. “A small team of us came up with the idea and the amazing Trish Trifilo brought a product to the table that has really … [Read more...]
Children’s Art and Literacy Festival 2018
Did you know that Abilene is officially the Storybook Capital of America? Those of you who have children in grammar school are surely well aware by now. The 2018 Children’s Art and Literacy Festival celebrated the new status of Abilene as America’s Storybook Capital and renowned children’s book author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers. Definitely one of Abilene’s biggest … [Read more...]
Enjoying CALF 2016
Everyone had a blast. I think we can all say that CALF 2016 can go down in the books as a success. I went to the opening party on Thursday and I was blown away by the impressive events the Children’s Art & Literacy Festival team members are capable of executing. Parades, Glow Dance Parties, Bubblemen, characters, magicians, Artwalk… and that was only Thursday! I took … [Read more...]