University of Wisconsin - Extension

This summer many youth are enjoying cartooning and creative art thanks to a cooperative venture between community agencies and University departments.

A grant from the UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies along with program support from Cooperative Extension Services is helping underwrite the following opportunities:

• Artist, Jean Matos worked with 4-H youth leaders to create cartoon characters and comic strips for an exhibit entitled, The Future Is Now, at the 2000 4-H and Youth Conference, June 20-22. After the conference, the exhibit will move to the Pyle Center, then travel to the Oconomowoc Developmental Training Center.
• As part of a service activity, 4-H youth leaders will create life-size cartoon characters with middle school aged residents at the Oconomowoc Developmental Training Center.
• 4-H youth leaders and cartoonist, Jay Rath, will teach cartooning to delegates at the 2000 4-H Youth Conference.
• Children from the Eagle Heights Community Center, Madison, will participate in art classes taught by Jean Matos through the Department of Liberal Studies and the Arts. 4-H youth leaders from the area will assist her.

The 4-H youth leaders, a group called the Art Team, are twelve teens selected statewide for this leadership experience. They create the theme exhibit, participate in an arts service project, coordinate the State 4-H Conference Art Exhibit, and lead art sessions at the

Wisconsin State 4-H Youth Conference. The Art Team is sponsored by 4-H, the youth education program of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension. 4-H is committed to helping young people of all needs and abilities grow in knowledge, skills, citizenship and leadership.

Cartoon artist and educator, Jean Matos directed the Art Team's creation of the large sculptures. Jean teaches cartooning to youth in the Madison area. She has illustrated a series of Theatre Arts books for youth. Jean divides her year between Puerto Rico and Madison.

Susan Farmer, who coordinates program is the State Extension Visual Arts Specialist and professor in the Department of Liberal Studies and the Arts. For more information, call 608-263-7815.