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Three events this weekend and next premiere an animated film commissioned by Platform Art to call attention to the endangered Florida Scrub Jay.
The film was created by St. Petersburg artist Paula Allen to educate people that the scrub jays found on the Lake Wales Ridge in Polk and elsewhere in the state are disappearing.
“We have a wonderful opportunity to bring awareness of the fragile upland habitat and ways humans can impact the environment responsibly,” said Cynthia Haffey, director of Platform Art.
The film, “It Takes a Village, The Florida Scrub Jay” uses hand-drawn images to tell the story of the bird, it’s complicated social system and fragile habitat.
The film is informative for all audiences but is particularly directed to students, Haffey said: “Environmental science education is introduced in 4th and 5th grades. The fim is a creative compliment to the existing curriculum in schools.”
Events that include screenings of the film include:
- The SEU Revolution Film Festival opening session at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Southeastern University.
- A Platform Art salon event featuring a talk with Dr. Reed Bowman of the Archbold Biological Station at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at a home near Lake Hancock. (information, registration)
- A Platform Art Party at 7:30 p.m. on April 7 at the Waller Design Center, 1065 S. Florida Ave.
Platform hopes to secure funding to help expand the animation project to include a tailored curriculum to complement the film and to develop other educational materials on endangered species, Haffey said.
Platform Art, a non-profit cultural arts organization, schedules two major public art events a year and hosts multiple smaller events.
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