At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, members of the James A. Winker family donated $100,000 to Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation to be used to enhance visual arts programming throughout the Sioux Falls School District.
On Friday, April 25, Greg, Ted, and Jenny Winker and their spouses visited Sioux Falls. They joined Education Foundation staff to award Public School Proud Grants to four art teachers at Horace Mann Elementary, Lincoln High School, and Garfield Elementary.
Maggie Moeller from Horace Mann Elementary received a $1,601.28 Public School Proud Grant for her proposal, “Paint Me a Rainbow.” With grant funds, Maggie plans to purchase dot markers, Kwik Stix tempera painters, Crayola watercolor and oil pastels, foam sensory paint, crafting hole punches, Mosaic Creations magnetic designers, line markers, and motorized spin art centers. In the application, Maggie wrote, “These materials will allow students of all abilities to create art giving them different options so they can be more autonomous over their work and take more ownership. The more supplies the students have access to, the more confident they will be, and the more creative they will become.”
There were two winners at Lincoln High School. The Winker family presented Sarah Winterscheidt with a $4,250.10 Public School Proud Grant for her proposal, “Creative Curriculum Growth and Innovation.” She plans to purchase translucent tracing paper, stencils, portable LED photography lights, a Cricut maker and Cricut papers, blades, wood, and vinyls, a gel press monoprint plate and printmaking supplies, and digital camera USB cables. In the application, she wrote, “For the photo class, the acquisition of both handheld and portable studio lights, props, and diverse drawing and printmaking formats will empower students to develop experimentation with various styles and compositions while encouraging them to express personal voice and synthesis. The supplies create an environment where students can push boundaries, develop critical thinking skills, and foster a deeper understanding of the materials. By integrating these resources, the curriculum becomes more dynamic.”
Christine Bossman was the second art teacher from Lincoln High School to receive an award. She will use $5,417.69 for her proposal, “Art Upgrade.” With grant funds, she plans to purchase drying racks, a Cricut maker and supply bundle, plant supplies, a light tracing box, watercolor paints, brush markers, and fake fruits and vegetables for still life drawings. In the application, she wrote, “With this grant, students will receive a boost to the level of learning that they will experience. Not only will this grant benefit the students in my art classroom, but it will benefit the rest of the art department. Additionally, it will create an educational greenhouse space that can be utilized by the entirety of the high school. Simply put, this grant has three main objectives: First, students with cognitive impairments will be able to create art at a higher level. Various materials and supplies will be purchased to help bridge the gap between what they are naturally able to do and what they are seeing their peers creating. Second, advanced level art students will be able to explore art using various professional mediums and materials. Lastly, with an educational greenhouse ‘studio’ and upgraded still-life supplies, students will make the connection that not all art must be done in a classroom setting. They will explore that art is something that can always be with them and enrich their life experiences.”
After they toured the greenhouse space at Lincoln, the Winker family visited Garfield Elementary. Kristina Erickson received $3,705.95 for her proposal, “Teaching for Artistic Behavior and Promoting Creativity.” With grant funds, she plans to purchase Inventables, drying racks, and art supplies that will be used by 530 K-5 students. In the application, she wrote, “This project will expand the tools and storage in the art room to allow students to experiment with a wide variety of materials, develop a sense of autonomy and ownership in their learning, and promote creativity and independence. Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) centers the child as the artist and driver of their education. The art classroom functions as the studio and must be highly varied and structured to allow the students to practice as artists. The ability to cut cardboard safely will expand sculpture to include younger grades. The Inventable is a kid-safe power tool for cutting cardboard. This will give students the opportunity to create with 3D artwork and bring their ideas to life without the safety concerns and frustrations of cutting through thick cardboard with scissors. With the addition of clay drying storage, multiple classes can create clay works at one time. Allowing more opportunity for materials and choice will enrich the hands-on experience of creating in art class.”
James and Marlene Winker were longtime residents of Sioux Falls. Their children made the gift in honor of their mother, who was an aspiring artist. Jim and Marlene were hot air balloon enthusiasts, and this hobby took them all over the world. Education Foundation staff presented Greg, Jenny, and Ted Winker with balloons that were created by students in Cait Haug’s kindergarten class at Discovery Elementary.
