The Steward School
Unique and Unusual: The Fine Arts of The Steward School Whether setting the stage, striking a chord, creating a masterpiece, or simply exploring the talents of the individual, students of Steward's Fine Arts program gain an insight into themselves unlike any other students in the Richmond area.
Professionalism and pride In work are the primary goals of the department. Students are given full responsibility for their work from matting their pictures or being prompt for rehearsals to practicing music or lines at home. Furthermore, a conscious effort is made to give each child a chance to have his/her "moment in the sun." All art students have art work displayed in the halls; all students are considered for roles in lower school music productions (an attempt is made not to use the same children in major roles); all students in lower school theatre classes have a speaking part in the class play; all students in Grades 6-12 who audition for plays are offered technical roles if they are not cast as characters; and all students have the opportunity to appear on stage four or
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times per year.
Interdisciplinary teaching Is an Integral part of the Fine Arts. Music, art, and theatre classes explore many of the same cultural or historical themes currently being studied by each grade level. For example, during the study of the Rainforest in Grade 3, the theatre teacher wrote and staged a play based on "The Great Kapok Tree," music classes listened to and re-created Brazilian music, and art classes made colorful parrots that were used as part of the set of the class play. Another example is the eighth grade English class study of The Diary of Anne Frank, which used computer-aided design in theatre class to create the set for a play based on this autobiography.
The Fine Arts faculty ensures students' work receives proper representation both Inside and outside of the school community. Not only is student work proudly displayed in the halls and office areas of Steward, but student art is also displayed in art shows, such as the recent Signet Bank show and the current show at the airport. Student artists interested in having their artwork critiqued by professionals are invited to participate in college Portfolio Day. Kindergarten students present their class play to prospective kindergarten students and their parents, and fourth grade students take their class play "on the road." In addition, music students participate in holiday concerts at Regency Mall, at nursing homes, and The Steward School. Choir members audition for regional and district choir festivals . The Fine Arts Department sponsors an annual Fine Arts Ban-
CONNECTION
In this issue March 1995 Art for All ......................... 3 • A Busy Year for the Fine Arts ................... 4 : A Sign of the Times ........ 4 Youth Art Month ............. 5 A Teacher's Point of View ................... 5 : ''The World's : Largest Concert" ............ 5 ~ "Composer of the Month" ; Returns ............................ 5
: Stunt Talent Night ........... 5 ; What Is Theatre? ............ 6 : "The Coarse ; Acting Show" .................. 7 . What Is IMPACT? ............ 8
quet, which recognizes the varied accomplishments of students throughout the year. Artists·in·resldence are used to supplement classroom leaming. Theatre profession•
als, portraitists, and visiting artists in music and dance have also been incorporated into school program for roundtable discussions and performances of art and plays.
Theem_Goki Connection IS published monthly tOf The Sie-Naro
School commumty Hel!dmaster Steve Slackhouse
Continued on page 2
Editor UzShupe