Bridget Murphy ‘25 | Kat Barber ‘23
EA’s annual Arts Fest allows for members of the community to appreciate the work of student artists in the halls, theaters, chapel, and even on the runway.
Lower, Middle, and Upper School art teachers collaborated to organize this year’s Arts Fest. David Sigel, Upper School Art Department Chair and Teacher, describes how the Art Department begins preparing for this annual event, explaining, “We talk among ourselves as a department, and we talk amongst ourselves as arts, and we put forth what kind of things we’re trying to showcase this year. We plan a schedule of events in different locations. This year, we are focused on, not so much having tents [with different activities] but using the tents that are already here [in the Connelly Courtyard].”
Photo courtesy of Gianna Trala ‘23
Students and faculty are also instrumental in helping the preparation for Arts Fest. Sigel says, “Every student who has walked by who is in the art program has volunteered and said, ‘Can I help? Do you need any help hanging stuff?’ We have student leaders who are helping with Mrs. Hutchinson’s fashion show, and we have Eleanor Anderson [‘25], who’s going to be our new curator, or head of the club, Install-It; she helped hanging work for a couple of hours.”
Each year, the different art exhibits and performances are spread out across the campus. Sigel states, “The music, orchestra, and ensembles happen in the chapel. In the courtyard tent, there will be a wearable fashion show, [as well as] other musical groups. Then open mic, a film festival, Improv, and poetry reading, having to do with the Epolitan because the Epolitan is coming out”
While many Upper Schoolers are involved musically or artistically, Arts Fest incorporates the entire community. Hilary Hutchinson, Upper School 3D Design Teacher, notes that the Lower and Middle Schools have also been preparing for Arts Fest, stating that “the Lower School teachers have the theme of food. So all the artwork in the Lower School is based on [a] food theme. So that should be really fun. Also, the Middle School is full of student artwork.”
An exciting addition this year is the revival of the wearable art show, led by Hutchinson. The students involved in the show each design their own clothes made from recycled materials. Although the last time the show occurred was three or four years ago, many students were involved this year. Co-Fashion Club leader, Kate Lamb ‘24, who helped organize the wearable art show observes, “It was so interesting to see all of the innovative creations; I hope next year we will get even more participants!” Hutchinson comments that this show is an “opportunity for students to have a fun experience for the afternoon, but also to create an awareness for recycling and earth day, using sustainable, recyclable materials for fashion.”
This year’s fashion show judges were Andrea Yu, Upper School Librarian;, Rebecca Brinks, Community Service Coordinator; and Lauren Finnical, Middle School Teacher, Girls’ Varsity Cross Country Coach, and Girls’ Middle School Track Coach. The awarded participants from the Upper School were Velina Feuzeu ‘24 for best use of recycled material and Bridget Murphy ‘25 for best in show.
However, lacking this year is the large number of different craft making activities of previous years. Hutchinson discusses the various exhibits, remarking, “There’s lots of 3D art on the walls and in the hallways. In the past, we have had a lot of different activities and venues and things for students to hop around with. This year, Ms. Ellen Erickson, Upper School Photography Teacher, is doing some cyanotype photography outside on the deck, but otherwise it’s art exhibits.”
The Art department wanted to place emphasis on the fantastic work that students Pre-K through 12th have made. Sigel remarks, “This year, the work that was done, the thoughtfulness, care, and the craftsmanship that was done with the artwork, we wanted to make sure that that was the focus this year, and not distracting activities. So, we want to encourage everybody to walk through the halls and see what our amazing students have created.”