On Friday, March 21st Hopewell Elementary hosted its biennial Arts Alive event, a celebration of creativity, talent, and community. This year, the school brought together over 40 talented artisans, performers, and creators, turning the campus into a buzzing hub of artistic expression. From an array of arts and crafts, foot-stomping cloggers and a dynamic one-man band, the day offered a fully immersive experience for students and staff alike.
The excitement started early that day. At 8:00am the entire school traveled to the gym for an energetic clogging performance by JM Studio. After the performance everyone was eager to see what the rest of the day had in store. At 8:50 classes began rotating around the school for twenty minute presentations from a spectacular showcase of diverse presenters. Classrooms were filled with an array of artistic displays and activities, with artisans showcasing their skills in everything from pottery to painting, woodworking, dancing, crochet, soap making, instrument playing and building, ju-jitsu and many more. A comic artist that works for Highlights magazine and a Marvel Comic illustrator were also amongst the star studded line up. Several current and former staff members were presenters, as well as three former Honeybees who are now in college majoring in Music and Art Education, two teachers’ husbands who shared the art of Bonsai and woodturning on a lathe. Family members of students were among the artisans as well, including a grandmother who does stained glass and donated a beautiful Honeybee piece to the school and a student’s mother who is a hair stylist and had hair extension dying stations that furthered the concept of color theory. We also hosted another mom that taught about embroidery and one who taught about crochet. All of these examples truly exemplify what a community of artists we have at Hopewell. Students had the opportunity to interact with these creators, and many offered hands-on activities to participate in. All of the visiting artists and presenters were given an honorarium made possible by an art fundraiser held during the off year of Arts Alive. Visitors were also treated to a wonderful luncheon in the media center provided by PTSA and staff members. The luncheon is a time that all of the artists are able to visit with one another, as many of them know each other from years past. It is truly a joy filled reunion for everyone.
The dynamic day came to a lively close with one more whole school performance by High Point musician Shane Key. Shane Key is a one-man band who utilizes instruments as well as a loop station and the singing voices of the crowd. His high energy performance of sing-along feel good songs was well received by students and staff alike. This year’s Arts Alive was not just an event, but a reminder of the importance of creativity, expression, and the arts in the development of young minds. It was a day filled with smiles, learning, and a deep appreciation for the many ways art can inspire, connect and transform.
