April is Art Awareness Month at Arlington High School. As we finish our preparations, we are reminded that our mission as Arts educators is to actively engage all students in developing a deeper understanding of visual and performing arts communication.

As educators, we know that through art students develop a deeper perception of themselves as well as our society. They mature as they learn to appreciate art’s complexity. Art is discovering, creating and understanding the human spirit. To these ends we showcase student’s work in many ways culminating in art festivals, plays, band concerts and choir performances.

Visual Art students are developing an understanding of the core concepts of color, shape, form, texture, line, contrast, balance, pattern, value, space and design. Students in visual art classes are given opportunities to explore these elements and concepts simultaneously with various applied techniques such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and graphic communication. We also find our place in art history and the contemporary arts culture to express our talents.

During AHS Arts Appreciation Week held the last week in April, we will showcase the student’s artworks and performances by our bands, choirs and theatre art students, at Arlington High School, for the students and community.

Visual Art students will showcase their work at the Annual Art Festival when we welcome our community for a springtime festival and sale. On May 5, you can view their work in the lobby of the Byrnes Performing Arts Center, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd., from 11 a.m. until 4  p.m. High quality works of art created by students and offered for sale include torch-work glass hearts, glass beads, original jewelry, cheese trays made from wine bottles, garden art, wire sculpture art and other forms of mediums. In addition to the visual displays, we will be providing live music and food for sale.

Arlington High School Performing Arts students develop an understanding of the core concepts needed to become a proficient performer in band, choir and theatre arts.  These concepts include technique, expression and interpretation. Students in performing arts classes explore these concepts through performance-related projects such as concerts, plays and competitions. Recently, the performing arts groups collaborated on this year’s production of Beauty and the Beast and the Jazzmine 2012 production of Teen Angst being shown on April 13,14,20, 21 and 22.

On May 4 and 5 the AHS Jazz bands will perform the annual “Swing Into Spring” dessert dance where they will feature classic big band dance music from the 20’s to the 60’s, including Count Basie, Stan Kenton and Duke Ellington. Swing Into Spring is open to the community and held in the AHS commons. Tickets are $12.

Imagine a world without art: no images, no songs or music, and no stage productions. Without these things, all would agree that this would be a very boring world. With our performing and visual art programs, we explore a world of color, texture, sound and drama. If students are lucky enough to experience art in high school, it is their ticket to a future of art exploration, appreciation and joy.

Bev Schatz, is an Art Teacher at Arlington High School and can be reached by calling 360-618-6300 or via email at bschatz@asd.wednet.edu.