SNAP!, the Riffe Gallery's Family Day held on June 22, proved to be a fun and educational event for more than 75 children and parents. Professional photographer Stephanie Bair-Garant led kids through hands-on demonstrations and provided personal pointers that covered topics such as shot composition, perspective and storytelling through photography.

Participants were provided disposable cameras and encouraged to photograph props or each other in one of four unique photo stations. Another big hit was the Polaroid photo snapped of each participant inside a giant picture frame hung amongst the Riffe Gallery exhibition The View From Here: Recent Pictures From Central Europe and the American Midwest.

Family Days are a component of the Riffe Gallery's Education Program, which seeks to increase public appreciation and understanding of Riffe Gallery exhibitions. The next Family Day, Imagining Kites!, takes place Sunday, September 28 from 2-4 pm. Children of all ages and their parents are invited to let artistic expression soar to new heights as they create flyable kites with artist Yasue Sakaoka. For more information call the Riffe Gallery at 614/644-9624 or visit www.riffegallery.org.

Above: Cole Wojdacz and Hana Estice ham it up for the camera at tropically-themed photo station during SNAP! Photo: Stephanie Bair-Garant

NEW REPORT (CON'T)

cultural exchange, developing sister-state relationships, including cultural leaders on trade missions, signing bilateral agreements that promote cultural and business affairs and grant making to community and educational institutions that are initiating contact abroad.

Successful trade agreements and sister-state relationships developed through the Ohio Arts Council's International Program are presented as models in the Issue Brief. The Ohio Arts Council is committed to expanding existing partnerships and forging new relationships. In an increasingly globalized economy, the practice of employing arts and cultural policy promises to add an important human dimension to states' international outreach efforts at a time when personal relationships are becoming ever more important to trade. To access the entire Issue Brief, visit www.nga.org.

arts smarts

A recent national survey indicates that Americans view museums as one of the most important resources for educating our children and as one of the most trustworthy sources of objective information.

Almost 9 out of 10 Americans (87%) find museums to be the most trustworthy or a trustworthy source of information among a wide range of choices.