The Arts Academy: Our Year In Review

Young artists explore many creative avenues!

By Jeanie Bowling, Principal

As an academic course of study, the arts should have three essential points of reference for the student. The student should be able to relate art to the other classes in which they are enrolled. There should be a direct relation of the student artwork to that of other artists both past and present. Lastly, the understanding that the arts happen in more places than just the classroom. Art is a part of everyday life.

Media Arts - Extracurricular

Select 6th-grade students were given the opportunity to produce a podcast during their recess times once each week this past spring. Engaging in public speaking and creative writing as a part of their core curriculum, podcasting gives these students the chance to put their knowledge into action. The podcast RGB is a collection of fine art students engaged in discussions around the topic of art. In future episodes, guest appearances will feature local artists and community members who will bring their insight to the students. This will help our growing artists, musicians, dancers, and actors better understand how the arts are woven into our community.

Arts Academy’s podcast RGB is available on Spotify and Apple Podcast and contains reviews of the 2023 musical and spring concert season. Follow RGB for future episodes and updates on what’s happening in our students’ art world.

Leading the way in ARTS

Arts Academy had a great year with our students and only shows signs of growing. With program growth and increased opportunities for our students to display their excellence, ARTS students are fully developing their understanding of where fine arts are in their lives. These young artists are great examples of what Canton City Schools and Arts Academy has to offer.

Next year at ARTS

Keep an eye out this fall for Arts Academy at Summit’s Annual McKinley vs. Massillon Rivalry Art Contest flyers! This year’s theme and submission dates will be made available in mid-September. Winners will be announced during pregame and select artworks will be displayed on the Tom Benson HOF Stadium video board. Any Canton or Massillon City School student can submit their artwork.

Community art partnerships with Patina Arts and The Hub Art Factory will be taking place during the next school year. These will take form in visiting artists, student displays of art, and extracurricular art opportunities. These will help solidify with our students that Art is a part of everyday life and a sustainable career choice.

Our Students Sweep the Show at First-Friday Competition!

Displaying Excellence in Visual Arts

On April 7th, 2023, Downtown Canton came alive with “The Art of Being Children” as grade-level student art was displayed throughout the First Friday ‘Arts District’ area. Arts Academy students submitted their artwork to the event where the public voted on one winning piece. Selected from over 500 Canton City Students, Arts Academy student Nicole Ross won first place! The winning piece is on display in the Canton Museum of Art until mid-summer.

In late April, Mrs. Artimez’s 2ndgrade class created arbor day posters in Art class for the Stark County Arbor Day Foundation poster contest. Students had been learning about the plant life cycle and how plants provide us with essential nutrients through what we eat. Arts Academy swept the field with first place being awarded to James Elefterin, second place to Amelia Rowland, and third place to Sam Regimbal.

Arts Academy is proud of our student artists and all they create both in the classroom and independently. These students, like many others, exemplify what it means to be a bulldog at Arts Academy at Summit, allowing students to work in intensive classes that focus on the performing and visual arts.