Students in classrooms throughout New Orleans as well as in other cities across the country have begun exploring "Beaux Arts and Letters," the theme of the 2006 Rex Parade. In past years students have studied the mythology of ancient cultures (2004's "The Winged World") and ancient China (2005's "Visions of Age-Old Cathay"). This year's parade theme is closer to home, with floats dedicated to artists and writers who have worked in New Orleans.
2006 also represents the 150th Anniversary of the first organized celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and floats in this year's Rex Parade honor two of the artists who created some of the most beautiful float designs in years past. Bror Anders Wikstrom and Louis Andrews Fischer were two of the most famous artists of Carnival's "Golden Age."
In the spirit of their work this year's "Rex in the Classroom" program includes a Mardi Gras Float Design Contest. Information and downloadable entry forms are available in the "Education" area of the website. Student work will again be posted on the website.
Information on the entire "Rex in the Classroom" program is available now in the "Education" area of the Rex Website,
www.rexorganization.com. General information, illustrated parade notes, teaching plans and materials, and archived work from past years can be found there. For further information please contact
education@rexorganization.com.