Students take part in Indian Dance. Sarah Neltner’20/Media staff

The Upper School held its biannual ArtsMania day on Wednesday, February 14, coordinated by the Upper School Art Department. Each student took part in three sessions: some taught by CA teachers and others by community artists. Across campus, upper school students and teachers created paintings, jewelry, music, poetry, food, and even more. 

The morning kicked off with a keynote lecture by Academy alumnus, playwright Rob Ackerman. His address focused on chasing passion and seeing the positive in setbacks which occur along the way. He finished by urging students to explore the arts and find what makes them happiest. 

With this inspiration in mind, the excited students headed to their assigned art sessions. Each was taught in a seminar form where students could get hands-on experience under the guidance of an expert. Most of the sessions were led by artists from around Columbus. Although each class was unique in its own art form, all of them focused on the exploratory aspect of learning art. By the end of these classes, students were carrying around many creations of their own.

After the sessions, everyone gathered back in the theatre, and members of the #Hashtag Comedy improv group performed different skits. Many involved audience participation, so some students joined in on stage. 

After months of planning and coordinating with artists, 2018’s ArtsMania was a huge success. It provided students with the opportunity to find their own passions. Furthermore, it focused on the process, not the final product. The light-hearted environment separated learning from the challenges that can sometimes come along with it. ArtsMania left students with a stronger insight into various forms of art; now they eagerly await the next event in 2020!

2018 ArtsMania sessions:

3D Printing with Mr. Martin

About Face: Makeup Tips and Tricks

Balloon Art

Barbershop Quartet

Beaded Bracelets

Blackout Poetry

Can-Jo (Make and Play)

Creative Jigsaw Puzzle Design

Digital Pinhole Photography

Fingerpainting

Floral Design

Gallery Walk-Through

Game Design

Glass Cutter

Hand Lettering

#Hashtag Comedy

Hip Hop Dancing

Hip Hop Recording Artist

Ice Sculpture

Indian Dance

Jazz Combo

Jewelry

Knitting

Painting

Playwriting

Poetry

Salsa Dancing

Sculpture

Snacks from Scratch

Stencils with Mr. Neal

Theater Improv

Urbanpainting

Watercolor Technique

Woodworking

Yoga