TURNER – Art in school has certainly changed, as was evident at Leavitt Area High School Thursday night. More than 350 art students displayed their works while hundreds of parents and community members listened to original musical presentations, threw pottery and watched a play.
“This is just a great chance to show their work,” Reggie Cloutier of Turner explained. “When I was in school, our art work went on the wall for parent-teacher night and that was all.”
Cloutier and his wife, Leigh, attended Arts Gala 2005 to see the work of their sons, Gabe and Christopher. Gabe, who is a junior at Leavitt, does painting, sculpture and music, and said the gala highlighted the diversity of students. Christopher, a freshman who paints and draws, likes the unique talent he sees around him.
The diversity of the people as well as the unique and traditional art forms displayed were evident throughout the school building. Adults sat beside students at potters’ wheels throwing clay and sharing tips while people of every age listened during the poetry slam and acoustic music jam, as well as the coffeehouse. Tom Rodrique, a senior from Greene, played guitar and sang a song strangely reminiscent of Bob Dylan in the ’60s, while the audience representing all ages listened and tapped their feet.
Traditional sculpture was evident, but so were unique examples made of wire, straw and aluminum foil.
“This is great,” Petra Abel of Turner said enthusiastically. “I am amazed at the quantity and different types of art I am seeing.”
This is the sixth year for the Leavitt Arts Gala, according to art teacher Jonathan Mess. The goal of the art department, Mess said, is to have every student at Leavitt involved in some way with the arts.
Art teacher Veronica Decker summed up the event quite simply: “We are so proud of these kids.”
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