What happens when an American artist /poet "Belladora"

meets a French teacher "Alten" who teaches English

at the Léonard de Vinci Junior High School in Ecquevilly, France 

within the enchanted halls of her 3D virtual world creation called Castles ?

They recruit the help of a band of kids and build a Rainbow Bridge across distance and language!

This is what happened. Alten (who goes by the name of Mr. Bonet in the real world)

and Belladora (Belladora Ahumada in real ) had been swapping ideas for some time

when something crystallized: what if Alten's pupils could talk with Bell ?

Suggestions began pouring out: they could talk about Bell's paintings,

exchange letters with her, maybe chat or talk with her on the Net,

work on arts projects, music projects, computer projects, theatrical projects, etc…

So here's the program for the moment:

- The kids have already written Bell letters to introduce themselves and ask her questions.

- They have begun studying Bell's art, describing it and giving their opinion.

- Next, they'll illustrate one of Bell's poems or stories, and the winners will have their work exhibited on the Net courtesy of Bell.

- They'll also work on Bell's pages, complete with paintings, poems and music, and work on the notion of "illustration."

- Hopefully, somewhere along the way, we'll be able to put the children in direct relation with Bell through the Internet.

- An exhibition of Bell's art will be held at the Léonard de Vinci school,

maybe with the kids singing some of the songs Bell chose to illustrate her pages with.

- Other plans include working on theatrical adaptations of Bell's stories, as time and progress allow.

We'll let you know how it all develops ! Any comments are welcome !

These are the Rainbow Bridge builders:

Queen Belladora - The source.

Alten / Mr. Bonet - English teacher at the Léonard de Vinci Junior High School in Ecquevilly, France.

Florence - Arts teacher

Francine - Music teacher

And the pupils of the 6D English class (sixth graders):

Lahila

Victor

Farid

Mariam

Poulo

Coralie

Séverine

Mélanie

Jérémy

Thimané

Damien

Arthur

Andréa

Benoît

A photograph of the Léonard de Vinci school :

Visit the world of Belladora

Note from Bell:  I am very excited to have the chance to work with these children from France.

Our goal is to build a bridge of encouragement that helps blossom their imagination

and leave all of our hand prints upon the world for future explorers. :o)

Note: The letters arrived from the pupils into my hands safely March 26th and I found them enchanting.

The pupils were curious and creative in their questions and penmanship with some even adding drawings.

I answered each one personally and mailed them off March 28th.

 I have created a story called The Rainbow Bridge which was also created in 3D in Castles. Below are a couple screen captures .

Here you actually walk up the spiral staircase, enter the witches Castle and cross the rainbow bridge that floats up to cross. All of

this is surrounded with music and sound effects.

Update::  The project was a success in 2001 which included the class studying Bell's art and creating their own inspiring

paintings which then were photo copied and sent to Bell with more hand written letters. In 2002 we will continue this journey which

will include more letters and a live visit to the school by Belladora to meet the kids in real and have a live art exhibition at the school.

Return to www.belladora.com

About Francine Baktavatsalou :

I was born Francine Leclère on August 11th 1968 in a small port town on the Channel called Le Tréport.

Actually this date is a mistake on the part of the registering staff: I was really born on August 8th 1968,

and it is on that date that I like to celebrate my birthday.

My father was a baker and ran a baker's shop with my mother,

facing the sea, and called "La Viennoise." I had 4 brothers and an older sister.

I was an average pupil at school, as I didn't have many opportunities to study quietly at home.

I didn't have many opportunities for leisure either, though I loved bikes (and still do).

The important event in my life was the birth of my daughter Julie in 1997. She is the best thing that ever happened to me.

I have always wanted to compose.

As a kid, I used to write songs.

In high school I wrote a few trial pieces on my guitar and played them for my friends at the end of the year.

Strangely, I began doubting myself after having been taught musical theory at university.

I couldn't write anymore, I felt a block.

So I went on very studiously and got my master's degree,

the subject being the French composer Darius Milhaud, then passed the teaching diploma.

Thanks to Belladora and Alten, I was able to begin writing music again, and I am enjoying it very much.

My musical tastes are quite eclectic.

I like classical music (baroque and romantic periods), French composers (Debussy, Milhaud).

But I especially love Jazz, sax players and women voices like Ella Fitzgerald and Diana Krall,

and I am an unconditional fan of French variety singer Véronique Sanson.

:o)