Twelve months of planning, fundraising, calling, meeting, organizing, collaborating, practicing, 16 hours of auditions, practicing more, printing signs, creating schedules, three days of dress rehearsals for over 600 performers, making menus, making messes, battling performance jitters, volunteering, prepping, cleaning, and putting everything away... All of this and more goes into one single ArtBeat. Why do we go to all this effort?
You might not know the answer to this question, unless you were there. If you were there, you witnessed the great rewards that came from all the work:
A Pre-K student's very first solo performance--a foundation to build upon for many years to come. Confidence was built.
A senior's song that brought years of growth to a glorious peak for her final performance of high school. A precious memory was made.
A junior high student served at a Hands-on-Art table, helping younger students create art projects just like she did at that age. Giving was joyfully reciprocated.
A young man wrote a song on the piano and performed his own work for the first time to a large audience. An opportunity was given.
A young woman took a chance and signed up for an art class, submitted a piece of art, and much to her surprise, was given an award. Risk was rewarded and talent was recognized.
A student saw a classmate's performance and was in awe of the skill displayed. Afterward, she approached and complimented this student--someone she had never spoken to before. A connection was made.
A group of teachers from another school attended ArtBeat so they could model after it and create their own fine arts festival. A legacy began.
I know that these things actually happened because I witnessed them myself. My guess is that you saw something similar if you attended ArtBeat. And that's why all the prep work, all the set-up, and all the tear-down is worth it. Because confidence, memories, learning to serve, learning to take chances and create, recognizing and nurturing talent, making connections, and starting a legacy are things worth working hard for. They are beautiful gifts from the Lord.
And we in the Fine Arts Office wouldn't be able to do it without so many amazing people in the CHCA community who volunteer their time, money, and talents to make ArtBeat happen!
- Thank you to every member of the ArtBeat Committee, and especially to ArtBeat Chair, Beth Masterson, for serving in this important role for her first year; and Performance Director, Michael Kuremsky, for 23 years of supporting ArtBeat.
- Thank you to all of our Fine Arts teachers, instructors, and directors for teaching and challenging our young students in groups both big and small. You truly allow them to shine!
- Thank you to all the parents and students who made up the 300+ volunteers we needed to run ArtBeat.
- Thank you to every performer and artist who contributed to the festival in their own, unique way. We appreciate you, and we can't wait to see what you do next!
- Thank you to our sponsors, because without you, none of this would be possible!
Enjoy a small selection of the many wonderful photos taken during ArtBeat, courtesy of Tammy Rosenfeldt and Jason Null. Look for more photos on Instagram this week @CHCAArts.
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