Stephen M. Jones grew up in Albany just 34 miles northeast of Abilene in a family active in the oil and gas and banking industries and active in giving back to their community. He spent 30 years working in Austin, where he fostered a love for the arts and helped lead an effort to renovate and expand a contemporary art space called Arthouse and merge it with the Austin Art … [Read more...]
Theater Major Takes on Biggest Role Yet – Directing CALF
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 Book Festival is Sure to Bring a Smile
Jeff Nelson describes the Children’s Art + Literacy Festival as a “non-stop smile-fest.” “I challenge you to come to CALF and not find a world of smiles that will make the corners of your mouth turn upward,” he said. “Like me, you’ll be back!” The 2022 festival was Nelson’s first experience as a volunteer. He took on the role of parade assistant to Melody Kern, 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...]