To commemorate of "Arts Alive Month," Chapin celebrated the visual and performing arts through the remarkable creativity and talent of students in Classes 8-12. The Upper School Art Exhibition, a gorgeous, diverse sampling of student artwork that brings color, visual interest and a sense of curiosity and wonder, currently graces the main corridor and the Gordon Room. Members of the Chapin community were invited to view the works during the evening of April 27, prior to one of three Dance Club performances.
Pieces by students in the Inter-Arts 8 and 9, Photography, Drawing and Design, Painting, Watercolors, and Senior Art Portfolio courses were inspired by many ideas. The concept of Cubism and the process by which painters moved away from realism toward abstraction inspired several of the paintings. There are also drawings informed by the architecture of public and university buildings; bright ceramic tiles created with a nod to Islamic culture; whimsical watercolor painting depicting grocery items; and extensive and varied photography, including a Senior Art Portfolio that focus on New York City streetscapes and building facades.
"This was the first ever Upper School exhibition and interest in it was generated by the students themselves," explained Duane Neil, Head of the Art Department. "The exhibit showcases the hard work, thoughtful creativity and enthusiasm for art among the Upper School students. It also reflects their enjoyment of the creative process and their love of art," he added.
Dance Club is one of the most enduring clubs at Chapin, with this spring's show marking its 78th performance. All Upper School students are encouraged to join, regardless of their level of experience. While dancing is a vital component of the club, choreography factors in significantly, as the students learn about the entire compositional process – "from the page to the stage." Students interested in choreographing a particular piece must first propose an idea to the whole group and then put on a series of "showings" before being selected as a piece to appear in the final showcase.
Over the course of each of the three evening performances, 21 breathtaking modern, jazz, hip-hop, ballet and tap dances were performed by a troupe of 55 students in Classes 8-12. The audiences at each, including many of the dancers' classmates, were entranced.
"Educating our community, in a visceral way, about the power dance has to communicate and express is something I think our students achieve every year with their work," remarked Dance Club Director Sarah Rutledge, who is also Head of the Dance Department. "Year after year, I hear audience-goers say how much certain pieces moved them emotionally or resonated with them for reasons they can't quite explain. Seeing live dance is thrilling because it is so fleeting – something is there and then it's gone, but it can leave you with feelings that linger for a long time. I feel certain that most audience-goers walk away from a Dance Club concert with an appreciation for the art form that they may not have had before."
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