Awesome New Things

Where: The Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St., Wilmington

When: Through Memorial Day 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5 pm Sunday. From Memorial Day through Labor Day 9 am-5 pm Monday-Saturday and 1-5 pm Sunday. Exhibit closes Sept. 9.

Tickets: $7 adults; $6 seniors, college students and the military; $4 for children ages 3-17; free for museum members and children under 3. The first Sunday of every month is free for New Hanover County residents.

Details: 798-4350 or www.CapeFearMuseum.com

I met Tracey Trikediddle Skediddle on Saturday afternoon as my daughters and their cousin clomped around the upstairs of the Cape Fear Museum in womens shoes.

Of course, theres no reason I would have met Tracey, who was made before my time, any sooner. Part of the Liddle Kiddle doll collection produced by Mattel for a short time in the late 1960s, the Tracey doll of my acquaintance resides in the tiny dolls segment of the Cape Fear Museums new Toys Games exhibit.

In addition to the history of Tracey, a helpful booklet underneath the tiny dolls display case explains that some of the earliest dolls were made for adults to display in their houses. By the mid-19th century, more dolls were created specifically for children.

The 10 Liddle Kiddle dolls in the case were given to the museum by Carla Barwick Crouch, who began collecting them when she was 7, the booklet says. To enhance the fun, Tracey came with a tiny tricycle and the ability to move with the help of a mechanism called a skediddler.

These days, tiny plastic or rubber dolls and animals take up a large amount of space in the toy aisles at stores. Theyre all over my house because Ive bought them for my daughters, Isabelle, 5, and Flannery, 3, which might be why the tiny dolls caught my attention immediately.

For adults, the Toys Games exhibit lets us revisit the games we used to play and the toys we loved, or in the case of the vintage and antique toys, the items our parents and grandparents treasured. Some might find them a depressing reminder of the passing of time, but it helps that the display cases mix old and new items.

The exhibit allows the museum to showcase 250 of the 900 toys in its collection, said Amy Kilgore, Cape Fear Museums public relations specialist, as well as giving adults something to look at while their younger charges explore the interactive offerings of Toys Games.

My children and their cousin found the toy displays interesting, but not as captivating as the hands-on activities, including blocks, spinning tops, puzzles, magnets, colorful shadowplay and dress-up clothes, belts and shoes. Its an interesting juxtaposition the ages-old game of dress-up that plays on the desire of children to do what grown-ups do next to toys that remind us how long its been since the power of our own imaginations brought metal, rubber and plastic to life.

The brilliance of the exhibit, to me, is that it attracts children and their parents to the museum for one exhibit while introducing them to the riches already there. Isabelle, Flannery and their cousin, Presleigh, squealed in delight in the Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery, marveling at the beaver lodge they could climb into, the giant Venus flytrap they could feed beanbag bugs to and especially the rat, opossum and raccoon hidden in trash cans as examples of city scavengers you should never try to pet.

Cece Nunn: 343-2310

Wilmington,
NC ? May 2012 / Hospitality 1ST / Mother?s Day (Sunday, May 13)
is a time to celebrate Mom and to thank her for all she does throughout
the year. Why limit the fun to just one day when you can celebrate all
weekend in Wilmington, North Carolina?s historic river district and the
island beaches of Carolina
Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville
Beach? Three island beaches and a Downtown riverfront with more than
200 shops and restaurants make Wilmington and its island beaches an ideal
Mother?s Day getaway destination. To help plan Mom?s well-deserved trip,
visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com
or call 866-266-9690 or and request a free official visitors guide.

Here?s a sampling of events
and activities that will help make Mom feel ?oh-so-special?:

May 11: Big Band Jazz
Concert: Fri. 8pm. Is Mom into jazz? Take her to see The John Brown
Jazz Orchestra: A Big Band Hit List. Admission charge. Thalian Hall Center
for Performing Arts, Wilmington. 910-632-2285; www.thalianhall.org

May 11: Birding Tour.
9am. Impress Mom by taking her on a free birding tour with a NC Audubon
naturalist. Mason Inlet Waterbird Management Area, Wrightsville Beach.
910-686-7527; www.ncaudubon.org

May 11: Outdoor Concerts.
6pm-8pm. Does Mom love music? Take her to Mayfaire Town Centre to hear
a free acoustic rock concert with music by The Other Guy. On the riverfront,
check out the Downtown Sundown concert by The Voltage Brothers. Wilmington;
www.mayfairetown.com
amp; www.wilmingtondowntown.com

May 12: Bluegrass by the
River Festival. 12noon-5pm. Mom will have a blast at this outdoor music
festival that features foot-stomping, knee-slapping music by five bluegrass
bands. There?s also a Kidzone, clogging and washboard clinics, and an open
jam (bring your own instruments). Gate opens at 11:30am. Fort Fisher Air
Force Recreation Area, Kure Beach. www.pleasureislandnc.org/bluegrass-by-the-river

May 12 amp; 13: Biological
Wonderland Hike. 10am. Is Mom into plants? Join a park ranger to learn
about different habitats that exist within Carolina Beach State Park and
how each habitat affects the plants and animals that call the park home.
Free. Meet at Flytrap Trail Parking Lot, Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina
Beach. 910-458-8206; www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/cabe/events.php

May 12: Farmers? Markets.
Saturdays 8am-1pm. Rise early for regional produce, plants, herbs, and
fresh flowers. The Riverfront Farmers? Market (Downtown Wilmington) amp;
Pleasure Island Farmer?s Market amp; Art Show (Carolina Beach Lake) feature
local farmers, artists, crafters, food. Free. www.wilmingtonfarmers.com
amp; www.facebook.com/CarolinaBeachFarmersMarket

May 12 amp; 13: NC
Aquarium at Fort Fisher: Moms love our aquarium and appreciate its
special programs: ?AUARIST APPRENTICE? (2pm, Sat.); ?BEHIND THE SCENES
TOUR? (1pm, Sun.) and ?SALT MARSH amp; CRABBING? (3pm, Sun.). Admission/program
charges apply. Pre-registration required for all programs. NC Aquarium
at Ft. Fort Fisher, Kure Beach. 910-458-7468; www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher

May 13: Mother?s Day Riverboat
Luncheon Cruise. 12pm-1:30pm. Board an authentic riverboat and treat
Mom to a deli buffet lunch and narrated scenic tour of the Cape Fear River.
Admission charge. Pre-paid advance reservations required. Boarding begins
at 11:30am. Henrietta III, riverfront at S. Water amp; Dock Streets. 910-343-1611;
800-676-0162; www.cfrboats.com

May 13: Mother?s Day Cruise
of Harbor Island. Moms cruise FREE on Mother?s Day (with at least one
paid passenger in her party). 1-hour historic harbor cruises depart at
11am, 12pm; 1pm; 2pm; 3pm; 4pm; 5pm. Sunset cruise (1 frac12; hr.) at
6:30pm. Reservations recommended. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Cruises, Waynick
Ave. (across from Blockade Runner Resort), Wrightsville Beach. 910-200-4002;
www.capefearnaturalist.com

May 13: Captain?s Lazy
Day Mother?s Day Cruise. 1pm-3pm. Treat Mom to a champagne brunch cruise
of the storied Cape Fear River. Admission charge. Advance reservations.
Boards at 12:45pm from Riverwalk at 212 S. Water St., between Orange amp;
Ann streets, Wilmington. 910-338-3134; www.wilmingtonwatertours.com

Cape Fear Museum Exhibitions:
?CAPE FEAR STORIES: LAND OF THE LONGLEAF PINE? (ongoing); ?TOYS amp; GAMES?;
?CAPE FEAR TREASURES: SHOES? (through July 15, 2012); ?SHOPPING AROUND
WILMINGTON? (through Feb. 17, 2013). Admission charge. Special event on
Sat. May 12: PIRATE INVASION, 1pm-4pm. Cape Fear Museum, Wilmington. 910-798-4350;
www.capefearmuseum.com

Cameron Art Museum Exhibitions:
?OUT OF FASHION? (through Aug. 19, 2012) and ?JULIE VONDERVELLEN? (through
Aug. 19, 2012). Admission charge. Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington. 910-395-5999;
www.cameronartmuseum.com

Other Fabulous Mother?s
Day Weekend Ideas:

OUTDOORS amp; MORE:
There are many ways to explore the natural beauty of Wilmington, NC and
the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach.
Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle around our marshes, rivers, inlets and
the Intracoastal Waterway. Watch for birds at one of the NC Birding Trail
sites (www.ncbirdingtrail.org)
or take a leisurely paddle-boat ride on scenic Greenfield Lake and Carolina
Beach Lake. Ride a bicycle or surrey along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk
or Carolina Beach Lake. Stroll along the Riverwalk, fish from an ocean
pier, or charter a boat for offshore fishing. Hike a nature trail at area
parks/gardens, including Carolina Beach State Park. Walk The Loop fitness
trail around Wrightsville Beach Park.

BLOOMING GOOD TIMES:
Dazzle Mom with beautiful spring flowers at the world-class Airlie Gardens
(www.airliegardens.org). Other
showcase gardens are at Latimer House (Victorian), Burgwin-Wright House
amp; Gardens (Colonial), and Bellamy Mansion (Antebellum). There?s also
a free arboretum with 4,000 species of native plants on seven acres (www.gardeningnhc.org).
In addition there are public parks and gardens, and a university ?arboretum?
campus (www.uncw.edu). You can search
for rare Venus Flytrap and other carnivorous plants at Carolina Beach State
Park. Just outside of town, the grounds of Poplar Grove Plantation are
lovely in the springtime.

THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE:
DINING, SHOPPING, DAY SPAS: Introduce Mom to regional cuisine served
at casual bistros, gourmet restaurants, old-fashioned diners, and outdoor
cafes. Restaurants from the river to the sea serve Sunday brunch.
Mother?s Day is a busy day so reservations are strongly encouraged. On
Saturday, treat Mom to a culinary tour (www.lizbiro.com/tours.htm):
Top Chef Farmer?s Market Tour amp; Cooking Class (9:30am-12:30pm) OR the
Heart of Downtown restaurant tour (2:30pm-5:30pm). For restaurant listings,
visit www.WilmingtonAndBeaches.com.
Find a unique gift at specialty shops, beach amp; downtown boutiques,
custom jewelers, museum shops, antique shops amp; art galleries. Or, Mom
can rejuvenate at a day spa.

TOURS DU JOUR: Impress
Mom with a guided tour. Downtown tours that depart at the foot of Market
amp; Water streets include: Horse-drawn carriage/trolley tours (www.horsedrawntours.com,
910-251-8889); Wilmington Trolley Company (www.wilmingtontrolley.com,
910-763-4483); Culinary Adventures with Liz Biro (Sat. 9:30am-12:30pm amp;
2:30pm-5:30 pm; www.lizbiro.com;
910-545-8055); Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington (www.hauntedwilmington.com,
910-794-1866); Hollywood Location Walk of Old Wilmington (www.hollywoodnc.com;
910-794-7177); Tour Old Wilmington walking tour (touroldwilmington.blogspot.com;
910-409-4300). Just a few blocks north: Cape Fear Segway Tours (www.capefearsegway.com;
910-251-2572).

Whatever Mom?s interests,
there are plenty of family-friendly activities to choose from in Wilmington,
NC?s historic river district and the island beaches of Carolina Beach,
Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. To find out about Spring special offers,
events and experiences in Wilmington, NC and its island beaches, visit
www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com,
www.visitcarolinabeachnc.com,
www.visitkurebeachnc.com,
and www.visitwrightsvillebeachnc.com.
For a complete Calendar of Events, visit www.WilmingtonAndBeaches.com/events.
For a free Official Visitors Guide, call 866-266-9690.

Media
Contact:

Wilmington
and Beaches Convention amp; Visitors Bureau

Connie
Nelson

Communications/PR
Director

910-332-8751

866-266-9690
ext. 120

|

The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches
Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization
of New Hanover County, North Carolina that stimulates economic development
through the promotion of travel and tourism.

|

Submitted by Dividend Yield as part of our contributors program.

The Best Dividends On April 27, 2012

Here is a current overview of the best yielding stocks with a market capitalization over USD 2 billion that have their ex-dividend date on the next trading day. If your broker settles your trade today, you will receive the next dividend. A full list of all stocks with ex-dividend date can be found here: Ex-Dividend Stocks April 27, 2012. In total, 29 stocks and preferred shares go ex-dividend of which 12 yielding above 3 percent. The average yield amounts to 4.39 percent.

The ex-dividend date is a major date related to the payment of dividends. If you purchase a stock on its ex-dividend date or later, you will not receive the next dividend payment. Instead, the seller gets the dividend. If you purchase before the ex-dividend date, you get the dividend. It is important that your broker settles your trade before the ex-dividend date.

These are the results of the best yielding stocks:

Peoples United Financial (PBCT) has a market capitalization of USD 4.46 billion and operates within the Savings amp; Loans industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 21.10, Forward P/E Ratio: 13.68, P/S Ratio: 4.21, P/B Ratio: 0.83, Dividend Yield: 5.14%.

Bank of Montreal (BMO) has a market capitalization of USD 38.60 billion and operates within the Money Center Banks industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 11.56, Forward P/E Ratio: 9.63, P/S Ratio: 2.93, P/B Ratio: 1.42, Dividend Yield: 4.67%.

Realty Income (O) has a market capitalization of USD 5.26 billion and operates within the REIT Retail industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 39.07, Forward P/E Ratio: 34.31, P/S Ratio: 12.50, P/B Ratio: 2.33, Dividend Yield: 4.43%.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (PNW) has a market capitalization of USD 5.30 billion and operates within the Electric Utilities industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 16.19, Forward P/E Ratio: 13.76, P/S Ratio: 1.63, P/B Ratio: 1.38, Dividend Yield: 4.34%.

Hasbro (HAS) has a market capitalization of USD 4.62 billion and operates within the Toys amp; Games industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 12.41, Forward P/E Ratio: 11.07, P/S Ratio: 1.08, P/B Ratio: 3.24, Dividend Yield: 4.04%.

3rd May, 2012: Pre-orders for ?Call of Duty: Black Ops II? began yesterday at Amazon.co.uk with the second instalment of the Black Ops series achieving more than three times the orders received for 2010?s ?Call of Duty: Black Ops? in the first 24 hours.

?Set to be one of the biggest games of the year, it?s great to see so much enthusiasm and anticipation for ?Call of Duty: Black Ops II,?? said Graham Chambers, video games manager at Amazon.co.uk Ltd. ??Bolder and better than before and with everything from a futuristic storyline through to single player mode, Zombies and multiplayer, Black Ops II promises something Call of Duty fans have never seen before.??

?Call of Duty: Black Ops II? will be released on 13th November on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC, currently priced from £42.90 at Amazon.co.uk. With Amazon.co.uk?s Pre-order Price Guarantee, customers can order now and if the Amazon.co.uk price decreases between the time the order is placed and the release date, the lowest price will be charged.

ends
For further information please contact:

Amazon.co.uk Ltd Press Office

Email: [emailprotected] Tel: 0208 636 9280

About Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.co.uk opened its virtual doors in October 1998 and strives to be Earth?s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavours to offer its customers the lowest possible prices.

Amazon.co.uk and other sellers offer millions of new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Baby, Books, Car Motorbike, Clothing, DIY Tools, DVD, Electronics Photo, Grocery, Health Beauty, Home Garden, Jewellery, MP3, Music, Musical Instruments DJ, Office, PC, Pet Supplies, Shoes, Software, Sports Leisure, Toys Games, Video Games and Watches.

The all-new Kindle is the lightest, most compact Kindle ever and features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes ? still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G.Kindle is the #1 bestselling product across the millions of items sold on Amazon.co.uk.

Amazon Web Services provides Amazons developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazons own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business.

Amazon.co.uk is a trading name for Amazon EU Sar.l, Amazon Services Europe Sar.l and Amazon Media EU Sarl All three are wholly owned subsidiaries of global online retailer Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN), located in Seattle, Washington.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, ?Amazon.com,? ?we,? ?our? and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from managements expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.coms financial results is included in Amazon.coms filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

TORONTO, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Spin Master Games Partners with Imangi Studios to Launch Temple Run
Games at Mass Retail Stores

Spin Master Games and Imangi Studios
have teamed up to deliver Temple Run, one of the most wildly popular
iOS and Android games, to Mass Retails Stores this Fall with amazing
new games.

In a global rights’ licensing agreement, initiated & brokered by
Dimension Branding Group (DBG), Spin Master Games will capture the
essence of Temple Run’s mobile gaming in traditional games, including
card games and board games with electronic features.

Recently named in Time Magazine’s Top 30 Apps to download, Temple Run
has been downloaded over 60 million times on the iPad, iPhone and
Android platforms.

“We are excited to partner with Imangi Studios,” said Craig Sims, VP of
Global Licensing at Spin Master. “They have already captivated
millions of people in a very short space of time with their Temple Run
game…and the journey is just beginning.”

“Temple Run is an incredible hit enjoyed by tens of millions of people
worldwide, and we are looking forward to this great opportunity to
bring it to another medium,” said Keith Shepherd, CEO of Imangi
Studios.

“Spin Master and Imangi Studios share an independent spirit & innovative
approach in the creation of stimulating and engaging games. We are all
very excited about this partnership,” said John Leonhardt, President of
DBG.

About Spin Master Ltd.
A multi-category children’s entertainment company since 1994, Spin
Master has been designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing
consumer products for children around the world and is recognized as a
global growth leader within the toy industry. Spin Master is best known
for such popular brands as boy’s action phenomena and 2010 Boys Toy of
the Year winner Bakugan Battle Brawlers(TM), and award-winning brands Air
Hogs®, Aquadoodle(TM), Tech Deck(TM), Moon Sand(TM), Liv(TM), and Zoobles(TM). The
company has also marked an entry into children’s media with the launch
of Spin Master Entertainment, a subsidiary focusing on the design,
development and production of television and other media properties.
Spin Master employs over 900 people with offices in Toronto, Los
Angeles, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Mexico, Munich, Italy, Spain and
central Europe. For additional information please visit:
www.spinmaster.com .

About Imangi Studios:
Imangi Studios was founded by husband and wife team Keith Shepherd and
NataliaLuckyanova in 2008. With the addition of artist Kiril Tchangov
in 2009, the three person studio has developed mega-hit Temple Run,
which currently boasts over 50 million downloads since its release in
August 2011. Based in Washington, D.C., the self-funded, fully
independent studio previously developed Harbor Master, geoSpark, Hippo
High Dive and Max Adventure for iOS. Temple Run launched in the Android
Marketplace in 2012.
www.imangistudios.com

About Dimensional Branding Group, LLC:
The San Francisco Bay Area based brand extension agency that focuses on
brand licensing, business development and promotion services with a
unique emphasis on the interactive & digital channels. DBG specializes
in developing toys & games, iconic brands & digital trademarks into
entertainment placement and new extension markets. Its clients include
PlayStation, (including game titles such as God of War, Ratchet and
Clank, and Little Big Planet), Jenga, Skee-Ball, Chronicle Books,
Miniclip and its company owned titles, Worst-Case Scenario, Bob’s Space
Racers among others.
www.dimensionalbranding.com

SOURCE Spin Master Ltd.

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Financial Glossary

Words used in this article:

Kids can meet the Easter Bunny at the Eggs Eggs Everywhere hunt on Saturday, like Seth Buxton did at an egg hunt in Ankeny last year. / Register file photo

nternational candidates to pursue any of its masters’ courses starting in September 2012. The other school, Nuova Academia di Belle Arti (NABA), has launched five awards worth $60,000 for bright Indian students to join various BA courses in art and design commencing in October 2012.

The institutes are focusing on the emerging economies in general and India in particular, as reflected in their curricular re-orientation and student enrolment drive. Domus Academy is going to introduce two masters’ degrees in marketing of luxury goods and in visual brand design in September 2012.

Representatives of the two institutes pointed out that trends in the luxury goods and design industry are an opportunity for students in an emerging economy like India. The demand for designer items – and relevant jobs – is growing in developing countries such as India. The luxury market in the country was worth $4.76 billion in 2009, $5.8 billion in 2010 and is projected to be $14.7 billion in 2015, said David S Graves, CEO, Laureate Hospitality, Art amp; Design, Laureate International Universities network, of which the two institutions are members. “India is really a high growth market, especially in the luxury segment,” added Marc Ledermann, CEO, Domus and NABA.

Graves pointed out how designers are designing hotels and luxury goods makers are diversifying their offerings – Prada and Dolce amp; Gabbana designing cell phones for LG and Motorola, respectively.

“What this means is, there continues to be a demand for designers,” said Graves, who was on a visit to New Delhi. “Indians who get into this area will not be serving only India. Russia and China are growing, too. So, it’s very likely students will be working in any of those markets.”

Indian multi-national companies’ global forays mean a requirement for domestic talent with an international skill set, said Ledermann. “We see car companies like the Tatas have taken over Jaguar. They are looking for Indians with an international education. That’s where we see high opportunity for Indian students,” he said.

Those applying for the scholarships must meet the entry criteria of both institutes.

Applicants would be assessed on the basis of their portfolios and be interviewed through Skype. All the courses are taught in English at the institutes based in Milan, home to well-known fashion brands such as Armani, Prada, Versace and Dolce amp; Gabbana.

Scholarships from Northampton
The University of Northampton (UK) has launched a full one-year postgraduate scholarship for Indian students and is inviting applications for the same. The £10,000 scholarship is available for the September 2012 entry only. To request an application form, candidates need to reference ‘FULL Indian Scholarship’ by emailing at: india@northampton.ac.uk. More details on www.northampton.ac.uk

Leslie Bellavance, dean of the School of Art Design at Alfred University, will present the March 15 Bergren Forum at AU beginning at 12:10 pm in Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center. The program is open to the public; admission is free.

Words and Images: Imagination and Making Sense will involve the artist’s reflection on works of art in which she has explored a complex relationship between words and images that proposes an integrated perception rooted in the imagination and conditioned by rhetoric. Key to her discussion, says Bellavance, is the intricate navigation of self through an unfolding and temporal world.

Bellavance will discuss large installation works, drawings, photographs, and sculptures through which she has explored the premise that images and text excite the imagination and inspire a subjective narrative that posits identity as being in flux.

As an undergraduate, Bellavance traveled abroad and lived in Rome, Italy for a year. She received a bachelor of fine arts degree summa cum laude from Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Philadelphia and a master of fine arts degree from the University of Chicago.

She has exhibited her artwork in the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has received numerous grants and awards including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and a Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship. Her book, analemmic, was awarded a residency and published by Nexus Press in Atlanta, Ga.

Bellavance has written and lectured extensively on contemporary art. From 1981 until 2005 she served on the faculty of the Department of Visual Art in the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she also served as head of the photography program, director of Graduate Studies in Art, and interim associate dean. From 2005 until 2010 she served as professor of art and the director of the School of Art and Art History at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

The Bergren Forum, sponsored by the Alfred University Division of Human Studies and the College of Liberal Arts Sciences, meets Thursdays during each academic semester while classes are in session. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch: coffee and tea will be available.

Artists ages 5-18 are invited to enter the California State Fair Youth Art Design Expo.

Award-winning entries will be displayed during the 2012 California State Fair, July 12-29. The top winners will receive Fair tickets and a State Fair ribbon.

Entries are due April 13 and must include: Completed entry form, available at www.bigfun.org; digital image of the entry on a CD; and $8 fee per entry.

For more information on the Youth Art Design Expo, visit www.bigfun.org or contact Michelle Johnson at mejohnson@calexpo.com or (916) 263-3189.

White Alligator Design, LLC, the contemporary art and home accessories company for kids, will partner with Fab.com to offer a selection of White Alligator Designs wall art and decorative throw pillows at a deep discount for a limited time only.

San Francisco, California (PRWEB) March 07, 2012

White Alligator Design, LLC, the contemporary art and home accessories company for kids, will partner with Fab.com to offer a selection of White Alligator Designs wall art and decorative throw pillows at a deep discount for a limited time only. The sale begins on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 on the Fab.com website, and will run through March 14, 2012. These discounts are exclusively available through Fab.com.

The Fab community members are creative and resourceful shoppers. I believe White Alligators contemporary, colorful designs are a perfect fit for their lifestyles and with discounts that are hard to resist, said Leslie Thorpe, founder of White Alligator Design. It is a great opportunity for parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles to stock up on gifts for kids that they might actually want for themselves.

The Fab.com sale will offer wall art and coordinating pillows in two design families: Dahlias amp; Daisies and Rainforest Frogs. The wall art is printed on blond maple providing a striking backdrop for the bright, nature-inspired artwork. The pillows are individually screen printed on 100 percent cotton twill using water-based Eco dyes that are PVC-free and phthalate-free. All products are produced locally in San Francisco, California.

For more information, contact Leslie Thorpe at leslie(at)whitealligatordesign(dot)com or 415-794-8437. Follow White Alligator Designs on Twitter! @White_Alligator

ABOUT WHITE ALLIGATOR DESIGN

White Alligator Design offers contemporary wall art and home accessories for kids. The company was founded by two San Francisco moms with a common belief that a childs room can be a source of inspiration and imagination. The products are bright and energetic, appealing to both kids and adults. In 2011, the White Alligator Design team launched their inaugural line on www.whitealligatordesign.com.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/3/prweb9260307.htm