Carolyn Bell ’16, Laura Zecca ’16: After a two-year hiatus, Arts Fest will be returning to EA with some new changes through the help of the teachers in the Art Department and six members of the Da Vinci club. Changes include limiting the festivities to the period only between 12:45 and 2:45 and adding a condition—students will travel with their advisories rather than travel freely on campus.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Heil
Hilary Hutchinson, Upper School art teacher, noted that students may be disappointed with the day’s reconfigurations. Previously, “It was more of a day of fun in the sun and less about celebrating the arts,” said Hutchinson. Corinne Kneizys ’16 remembers Arts Fest as a way to “bring our community together.” For Kneizys, “The whole point of Arts Fest is that it’s a fun thing where you can go and explore your own individual interests.” This will not be possible with the new style of the day now that students will be required to travel in groups with teachers to wherever they are assigned.
On the other hand, students who were new to EA are excited to become a part of its legacy. Isabella Rodriguez ’16, who was new in ninth grade, expressed, “Oftentimes at Episcopal, arts doesn’t get nearly enough recognition and this is a good opportunity to showcase all of our amazing artists.” V Form Dean Michael Letts felt similarly saying, “There’s an enormous amount of phenomenal work the kids are doing in all of the art disciplines that any chance we have to showcase that work whether it be dance, music, or fine art is a fabulous thing.” Kailey Radcliffe, ’16, echoed this sentiment, saying that “the Arts at EA provide the students with a release from daily life” and that “they are under appreciated.” Although previously viewed as an opportunity to miss class, Kayla Costalas ’17 believes Arts Fest’s new format this year will be more effective. “In the past no one really looked that much but since you’re going with your advisory it’ll help,” said Costalas.
Photo Courtesy of Katie Ruggiero ’11
The common theme among both teachers and students is that the focus of the day should be on the art and that the students will hopefully react positively despite the loss of freedom of the day. According to David Sigel, Head of the Art Department, there is a great deal of potential for the day “because the school can get behind the TJ administration and get EAPA all on board.” This is especially important given the issues of the past Arts Fests. Letts stated that Arts Fest “is far more likely to have great success if the kids take the initiative and drive the whole process.” Many students are eager to give the new format a try. “It’s not going to be the same relaxed environment,” said Cam Walling ’15. But “there’s potential for a good time.”