Light It Up! Education Residency

In it’s 3rd year of programming, LIU! has become even more successful by adding Caddo Parish Teachers to the educational process for area students to code the lighting system for the Bakowski Bridge of Lights on the the Texas Street Bridge. The 2023-24 Academic year had over 60 student light shows turned in and over 20% are on the path to becoming Certified Light Designers before next term. These Certified Light Designers are eligible for paid commissioned work and learning a trade skill for a high-demand STEAM industry.

Between October 2021 - May 2022, Shreveport Regional Arts Council produced a Caddo Parish School District educational program to train youth in Pharos Designer 2 software that controls the LED lights on the Bakowski Bridge of Lights. Sci-Port Discovery Center hosted sessions that started with 300 students and ended with 35 Certified Light Designers. This page showcases light designs completed in the program.

Donate

SUPPORT the LIGHT IT UP! program

  • A sharable curriculum is being developed based on this pilot program. Other cities are encouraged to implement their own Light It Up! Educational Residency!

  • The Light it Up! Program trains local Caddo Parish Teachers to become certified to teach lighting design for the Bakowski Bridge of Lights in their schools! For more information on how to be come a LIU! Trainer, contact Austin@shrevearts.org

  • Students in the Light It Up! program are required to attend 6 Super Saturdays, which are creative learning sessions held every 2nd Saturday of the month at Central Art Station.

  • Upon completion of the Light it Up! program, students can complete an exam/skill test to become a certified designer for the Bakowski Bridge of Lights on the Texas Street Bridge! Once a student has been certified they can submit shows following the link below for a commission and continue attending Super Saturdays

STEAM education for kids to design and program the Bakowski Bridge of Lights on the Texas Street Bridge.

CERTIFIED DESIGNERS

STUDENT DESIGNERS

2024_Sponsor+10W_X_3H.jpg
2024_Sponsor 10W_X_3H_.jpg
2024_Sponsor 10W_X_3H_2.jpg
2024_Sponsor 10W_X_3H_3.jpg

Meet the Artist and Curriculum Team

  • Jason Lysons

    Lead Artist

  • Austin Jennings

    Technical Director

  • James Marks

    Local Arist

Light it Up! Participating Schools 2023/2024

  • Walnut Hill Elementary Middle School

    Instructor Crystal Bordelon

  • Donnie Bickham Middle

    Instructor Billy Cloutet

  • Youree Drive Middle Advanced Placement Magnet

    Instructor Miles McDowell

  • Parkway High School

    Instructor Jeff Holcomb

  • Broadmoor Stem Academy

    Instructors Patricia Widener, Mary Ann Heitzman, and Kimberly Samuel

  • Caddo Parish Magnet High School

    Instructor Stephen Goebel

  • Turner Elementary/Middle School

    Instructor Janisha Musco