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The World in our Hands: Earth Images from River of Words

New Exhibit at Chabot Space & Science Center On View March 11 – June 1, 2003

OAKLAND, CA (March 3, 2003) -- An unparalleled collection of children’s art and poetry that explores the theme of watersheds, the environment and planet Earth opens at Chabot Space & Science Center on March 11, and continues on view through June 1, 2003. The exhibit, The World in Our Hands: Earth Images from River of Words, includes over fifty works of art and poems by California youth and coincides with Chabot's spring Spotlight theme, “Planet Earth”, which offers hands-on earth and environmental science activities on Saturdays and Sundays, March 1 through June 15.

The exhibit was organized by River of Words (ROW), a group founded in 1995 to promote literacy, the arts, and environmental awareness. As part of its activities, ROW, in affiliation with The Library of Congress Center for the Book, conducts an annual international poetry and art contest for children in kindergarten through 12th grade that explores the natural world through the theme of “watersheds.” ROW's "Watershed Explorer" curriculum, which combines history, math, science, social studies, geography, language, and the arts, is helping youth and communities explore the natural and cultural history of their own homegrounds. ROW conducts teacher-training workshops around the country to help classroom teachers, Girl Scout leaders, and other educators incorporate exploration of nature and the arts into their own curricula. ROW also exhibits the children's art and poetry at museums, conferences, libraries, festivals, and other locations around the world. The creative power of children involved in ROW programs is evident in the poetry and artworks on exhibit. Examples of their thoughtful contributions include these poems and artwork: (more available at www.riverofwords.org)

Rain Feeling The nap time rain sings lullabies And throws all kinds of flowers on your head shimmering stars and rainbows Jessica Mozes, Age 7 Lakeshore School San Francisco, California 1996 River of Words Finalist	"Sisters" Toni Allen, Age 12 Broadmoor Middle Magnet School Baton Rouge, Louisiana Teacher: Alan Morton 2002 ROW Finalist
"Salmon Spectacular" Cody Taylor, Age 7 2002 ROW Grand Prize Winner © River of Words The Simple Life The crossroads to heaven make you feel like stones. The roots of your ashes are like mountains. The dirty country road makes the sky ahead look yellow. The kingdom of green blooms in a special red way. The fog upon the pond is in silence unknown only two people know the stairs to roses. My father floats in the air traveling like steel making echoes that are getting closer. The crickets make way to stars, the stars are like traffic on an old silvery, rainy day, and it is hard to breathe on the fountain of life or death. Scott Laffler, Age 9 Barnwell Elementary Alpharetta, Georgia Teacher: Debbie Crider 2002 River of Words Grand Prize Winner
Sad Sun Oh sun. Oh sun Oh sun. How does it feel to be blocked by the dark dark clouds? Oh child it doesn't really feel bad at all not at all not at all not at all. Nicholas Sanz-Gould, Grade 1 Argonne Elementary School San Francisco, California Teacher: Susan Sibbet (California Poets in the Schools) 1996 Grand Prize Winner	"Watch but Don't Touch" Aya Rothwell, Age 16 Chamblee High School Atlanta, Georgia Teacher: Kimberly Landers 2002 ROW Finalist

General Information

River of Words was founded in 1995 by former US Poet Laureate (1995-1997) Robert Hass and writer Pamela Michael. For more information, visit www.riverofwords.org.

Chabot Space & Science Center is located at 10000 Skyline Blvd. in Oakland’s Joaquin Miller Park. Open Tuesday–Sunday. General admission is $8.00 for adults and $5.50 for seniors and children. Children under 3 are admitted free; Students with ID receive a $1.00 discount. General admission to the galleries is FREE on the first Wednesday of each month (with an additional charge for shows in the Ask Jeeves Planetarium and Tien MegaDomeTheater). Tickets may be purchased at the door, or by calling (510) 336-7373. Advance tickets are available on-line at www.ticketweb.com or by phone at (866) 468-3399.

For more information, call (510) 336-7300, or visit www.chabotspace.org.

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