Meet Colorado state coordinator, Marianne Beard

Marianne Beard moved to Colorado eight years ago with her entire family and attained her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Studio Art and Art History from CU Boulder. In her short time as our Colorado State Coordinator, Marianne has engaged the entire state of Colorado in bone making, starting with the school system.

 

As she began her outreach she noticed Colorado Art Teachers had a need for projects that addressed current events and had purpose. “They needed something more than just showing students a technique” Marianne reflected, “they wanted a project that helped students understand that there something greater than themselves – and they found that with OMB”. Within the first two months, Marianne had sixty schools across the state committed to making bones! She’s presented for students of all ages,  pre-k to college, who have embraced this project as much as she has.

Marianne keeps super busy! This past week, she presented at three assemblies and taught four classes at Doherty High School in Colorado Springs. But the pay off is huge: the entire school has rallied behind the One Million Bones project wanting to make as many bones as possible. When Marianne showed up for her presentations, they surprised her with 1,200 pounds of clay and a commitment to make at least 2,000 bones for the final installation on the National Mall next year. They’re inviting community members, parents and students to participate in this endeavor and are planning an installation at the school later this year.

And William Smith High School in Aurora, Colorado has also embraced the project. Marianne met with the art, science, English and math teachers and discussed ways to incorporate the One Million Bones project across all subjects to address the question: What is the value of a human life?

From Colorado Springs to Denver, from Aurora, to Westminster, Grand Junction and Ft. Collins –Marianne has brought the project to all corners of the state. There is no limit to her reach!

Are you in Colorado?  Want to be part of the Colorado effort to place bones on the National Mall?  Let us put you in touch with Marianne.  

Comments

[Isobel Thieme]

My name is Isobel Thieme and I am a high school student living in Denver. After going through this entire website and learning about all the amazing things this project is doing, I'd really like to get involved and bring it to my school. So, I'd like to get into contact with Mrs. Beard so I can do everything I can to be involved. My email is isobelamber@gmail.com
Thank you!