The Chapin community came together to celebrate creativity in all its forms during our annual Arts Alive Week from April 20-24. Over five days, student work was proudly showcased across the School.
Each day began with a special Live Music Morning to welcome students and members of the Professional Community as they entered 100 East End Avenue. Musical talents were on full display, with student and faculty performances by Dr. Christopher Barnes, Class 9 student Sophia T., Class 11 students Alé Gil and Mira K., and seniors Alessandra P., Daria S., Xi S. and Vianli D.
A highlight of the week was the K-12 art installation in the Ethel Grey Stringfellow Art Case. This exhibit featured a wide variety of work, including Lower School weaving and clay sculptures, Middle School (MS) collages and paintings, and Upper School (US) paintings on canvas and 3D sculptures, which offered a glimpse into the diverse visual art mediums students explore at Chapin.
In addition, the arts team created a bulletin board in the Gordon Room hallway showcasing written reflections from K-12 students about their experiences with the arts at Chapin as well as how they see themselves as artists. On the second and third floors, US studio artwork was also on display for all to admire.
The week culminated with a special K-12 Arts Alive Assembly in the Athletic Center. As students entered with their Homeroom cohorts, they were welcomed by an exciting slideshow including photographs and videos of students working on artistic projects in their classrooms. The Assembly featured a range of performances and presentations — from student speeches, dancing to singing — all of which reflected tremendous dedication and hours of rehearsal and thoughtful work.
Class 12 student Daria S., Chapin’s Arts President, opened the Assembly with a speech reflecting on the work students have created over the past year and what the arts have meant to her as she prepares to graduate.
“The arts have been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at Chapin. What matters to me is not only what ends up on stage, but the work that leads up to it,” said Daria. “Rehearsals that start early or run late, moments where something falls apart and then slowly comes together again and the choice to keep going when it would be easier to step back. That process of creating and sharing is why our art matters here.”
The Assembly continued with performances from students across all divisions. Members of each division’s chorus performed “This Pretty Planet” by Tom Chapin in honor of Earth Day. This was followed by two senior Berendsen Scholars, Alessandra P. and Celestine D., who presented glimpses into their yearlong, art-focused projects. Alessandra’s study, “It is Only for Love He Sings: The Philosophy of Love in Hadestown,” explored the themes of performance and love in the musical Hadestown, which follows the ancient myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Celestine wrote and directed “American Hero,” a play about Jack Ruby navigating his court trial, which was performed as the US Winter Play earlier this year.
Dance Club then shared a medley performance featuring both Class 3 Dance Club and the US Dance Club.
“The arts at Chapin bring together students across grades and interests, and they create a space where people can contribute to and advocate for a shared passion, where people feel seen for what they care about,” Daria continued. “That is what gives our community its vibrant energy.”
To close the Assembly, Class 11 student Suhani P. drew in the audience by teaching them movements of Bharatanatyam, a 2,000 year old classical dance form from India.
Head of School Suzanne Fogarty concluded the programming by emphasizing the importance of the arts at Chapin and expressing how immense the creativity and dedication is that is demonstrated across the School.
Arts programming at Chapin is robust. This year, for example, events included an Open Mic Night, Live Music Mornings, Winter Acapalooza, the plays and musicals across divisions, and numerous singing and dance showcases.
In the coming weeks students will continue to share their work through upcoming events that include the spring concert, the Kilts (Chapin’s US rock band) concert, the US musical “Chicago,” MS spring Dance Club performance, the Class 7 Play, the Class 3 Performance and Hall of Heroes, and Class 3 Dance Club Concert.
We are incredibly proud of our talented students and the creativity they bring to our community. Thank you to our entire arts faculty for making this week, and every other, so vibrant and inspiring!
Browse more photos HERE. (Click on the brackets in the upper right corner to view the photos in full resolution.)
