3 minute read
Art at Eastside
By Greg Teal
When it comes to school art programs in the Quinte area, the offerings at Eastside Secondary School (ESS) are top-notch. From choir to concert band, musical theatre to improv, ceramics to pottery, ESS has it all.
“There are so many options for students,” says David Reed, ESS music teacher and art director. “Art classes start in grade nine and run all the way through to grade twelve. We offer challenging and unique opportunities for our students, and it’s their energy and our talented staff that really make this program shine.”
The Eastside Arts Council is a group of dedicated students from all artistic disciplines who organize events such as coffee houses and art shows throughout the year to promote creativity and collaboration. In addition, ESS has an Art Club, where students identify creative needs within the school—like murals, posters, and décor—and work together to design and produce art to fill those spaces. Open to students of all grades and abilities, no experience is required.
It’s also a valuable opportunity for students seeking professional art experience, as their work is showcased in public venues such as the Annual Student Art Exhibition at the John M. Parrott Gallery.
Musically, ESS offers several programs for students. The Eastside Concert Band, which includes students from grades nine through twelve, performs at the Winter and Spring Arts Nights and other community events. They rehearse weekly, with additional sectional practices. The newly formed Eastside Choir meets twice a week and performs at school functions. “Depending on student interest, another goal is to participate in the Belleville Rotary Music Festival,” says Reed. There’s also a robust Guitar Program, made up of four classes and over 100 students, equipped with a full set of professional-grade guitars.
For students drawn to tactile expression, the ESS Ceramics Program offers five classes this year, involving roughly 125 students. Participants organize two to four public markets annually, along with in-school markets at ESS events. With the addition of a new pottery wheel and kiln, students now learn both hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques to create a variety of pieces.
ESS also boasts an impressive record in performance arts. The Eastside Improv Team competes in the Canadian Improv Games tournaments. “We have won our Regional Tournament and advanced to Nationals the past two years. In the spring of 2025, we qualified for the National Finals and our team is currently ranked 4th in the country,” says Reed.
For those bitten by the acting bug, ESS offers a Musical Theatre Production, a two-credit course that runs in the second semester. Students participate in every aspect of a full-scale musical— from acting, dance, and vocals to costuming and publicity. The production hits the stage in late May. Past shows have included The Wizard of Oz and Clue. At Eastside Secondary School, creativity isn’t just encouraged—it’s built into the culture. Whether through performance, music, or the visual arts, students are given every opportunity to discover and develop their artistic voice.
