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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 26, 2005 CONTACT:
Kathleen McPartland Teresa Bergman Three short documentaries now showing at the Bidwell Park Centennial exhibit, "100 Years of Gratitude," were created by California State University, Chico students through an independent study project with Professor Teresa Bergman, Department of Communication Design. April Kelly was the producer/director/editor/camera operator, Brandon Blakely was assistant editor, and Ryan Taylor and Ross Hendrickson provided assistant camera work. All three graduated in May with majors in communication design with an option in media arts. "These documentary films provided CSU, Chico students with a chance to use their newly acquired documentary filmmaking skills in an important project," said Bergman. "The students not only learned about Chico's history via the films' production, they also met the designers of Caper Acres, members of the Mechoopda tribe and other Chicoans that are currently active in preserving Bidwell Park. It was a great opportunity for students to use their new skills outside the classroom." Kelly, currently a graduate student in film at San Francisco State University, views the documentary project as one of the highlights of her student career at CSU, Chico. She worked closely with the coordinator of the centennial exhibit, Jennifer Oman, on creating shorts that would enhance the exhibit. "I cannot replace the hands-on experience I gained from working on the documentaries for an extended period of time. As a media student, this sort of experience is invaluable. The work experience I gained from this project continues to open new doors for me." The three documentaries are each five minutes long. The first, "Caper Acres," covers the making of Caper Acres and includes oral histories from Marlys (Norlie) Willams, the playground equipment designer, Carla Norlie, the woman who named Caper Acres, and Caper Acres visionary, Barbara Hicks. The second, "Kids and Creeks," illustrates the symbiotic relationship between local school children and Bidwell Park. The piece highlights the use of the park as a classroom for student groups participating in the program. Children have the opportunity to provide service and stewardship for the park. The third, "nimsemsa hededi bisin": We Live Here," gives voice to the Mechoopda Tribe of Chico Rancheria's relationship to the land now known as Bidwell Park. The original inhabitants of Bidwell Park, the Mechoopda, share their past ties to the land and their visions and hopes for its future. The interviews for this short were one-time interviews granted to people outside of the tribe. The shorts can be seen from now through December 17 as Part of "100 Years of Gratitude" at the Chico Museum, 141 Salem Street. ### 
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