(Max W./Media)
2022 has represented a school year inching closer to pre-pandemic normalcy. Such sentiment was felt on Wednesday, February 16, when the upper school welcomed back artists for the biennial Artsmania celebration.
Students and faculty enjoyed a break from the school day routine for an arts-filled day off, each participating in a total of four sessions ranging from dance lessons, podcast production, drawing and painting, to stage combat.
While most sessions were led by artists in the Columbus area, many were also designed by those in the Academy community.
Dr. Ritter’s son, Thomas Ritter, taught students in one session the art of enameling, and US science teacher Mrs. Downey hosted one in gardening, among others.
US students Aanika K., Saanvi B., and Shikhara V. began practicing a month in advance for the “Indian Dance” session. The three students met with their Indian dance teacher for an hour once a week to learn three dances to teach at the lesson.
Aanika, Saanvi, and Shikhara led Raas, Garba, Bhangra, and Bollywood dances. Students from the lower school also joined to lead Bhangra and Bollywood dances, with addition to another called Bharatanatyam.
Aanika says, “I loved being able to show off the amazing parts of our Indian culture to students in our community because it is something I am so proud of and love doing.”
The variety of sessions immersed the US community in new crafts, diverse cultural traditions, and life skills – leaving students and faculty alike with newfound appreciation.
The full list of sessions provided are included below:
3D Scanning/Printing
African Dance
African Drumming
AfroBeats
Art of NFSs
Audacity
Comic Art
Enameling
Eye Makeup
Foam Sculpting
Gardening
Geocaching
Grid Based Patterns
Hip Hop Dance
Hip Hop Writing
Hyperbolic Crochet
Illustrating
Indian Dance
Laser Cutting
Magic
Metal Working
Needle Felting
Planting/Potting
Podcasts
Product Photography
Progressive Mural
Pysanky
Salsa
School of Rock
Screen Printing
Sculpey Faces
Sketch Comedy
Snack Bag Design
Stage Combat
Teamwork with Tiles
Theater Improv
Urban Painting
Vinyl Cutting
Working with Clay
Yoga
Zumba
