Ribbon Cutting for the Jean Madsen Children’s Center at Bountiful/Davis Art Center on September 15

BOUNTIFUL, Utah, September 4, 2008 –The opening of the Jean Madsen Children’s Center within Bountiful/Davis Art Center will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting, facilitated by the Davis Chamber of Commerce on September 15 at 7pm during the monthly “Family Encounters of the Art Kind”. It is named for Jean Madsen who has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. She wanted to create an area within the Art Center, apart from the classroom area, wherein children and their parents could do art related activities and learn about the current exhibit.

Jean has been involved in education for most of her life. A retired principal of Taylor Elementary school in Davis County, she also sits on the Foundation Board of the Davis Area Applied Technology College and co-founded the Bountiful chapter of the Soroptimist Club, a service organization that helps women and children. She is a current member of the Bountiful Lions Club and the “Lakesiders” of the Davis Chamber of Commerce. Jean has been on the Board of Trustees of BDAC for many years and currently serves as the Vice-Chair. She contacted Ryan Carter, Vice President of Big D Construction Corporation to see if they could help with the construction of the project. Big D agreed to the construction which involved moving a wall and re-structuring the space to accommodate the Children’s Center. This included new walls, floors, trim, painting and re-arranging electrical equipment. Big D donated all the supplies and labor to complete the project.

Ryan Carter from Big D says, "Big-D Construction works diligently to be "Best in Class" in everything we do, and for over 40 years we have been actively supporting the communities in which we work, and where our employees and their families live. We are grateful for the opportunity we had to construct the new “Jean Madsen Children’s Center” addition to the Bountiful Davis Arts Center. I am excited that the children will be able to let their imaginations create masterpieces while gaining inspiration from amateur and professional artists’ works found within the center."

In addition to honoring Jean Madsen and Big D, BDAC is happy to honor the Bountiful Lions Club for supplies and labor they donated to spruce up the classroom area of BDAC. This project was also facilitated by Jean Madsen.

The ribbon cutting will begin at 7pm in the north gallery of BDAC. Families are welcome to attend prior to doing the activities of Family Encounters of the Art Kind.

Emma Dugal, Director of BDAC says,” The Jean Madsen Children’s Center will enhance our education program and give families additional opportunities to learn about art and the exhibits and programs of Bountiful/Davis Art Center. Thanks to Jean Madsen and Big D Construction Corp. for making this possible. Thanks also to the Bountiful Lions Club for their donation of time and materials to create a more workable classroom area in the basement of BDAC. The Office of Museum Services provided a grant so we could add cabinets and storage space to the classrooms. These are significant contributions towards making BDAC more accessible to a greater number of children, adults and families fulfilling our mission to bring art education and experiences to the people of the community. Thanks also to Trixee Buckingham, BDAC Education Coordinator for developing the programs for the new children’s center. We appreciate the support we receive from the Davis Chamber of Commerce, Bountiful City and many organizations and individuals in Davis County and beyond who have caught the vision of Bountiful/Davis Art Center and to the many patrons who enjoy this facility.”

The inaugural project in the children’s center will be related to the Contemporary Illustrator’s Exhibit that will begin on September 12 with and Opening Reception on September 19. The project for Family Encounters of the Art Kind will be stamped printmaking inspired by Andy Warhol. The public is invited to attend this free event.

For more information about this exhibit and other programs of the Art Center, contact the Bountiful/Davis Art Center, 801 292-0367 or visit us online at www.bdac.org.