Apparently select work from the elementary schools will be on display at the show at the HS, but it won't be the same. Instead it will, unfortunately, be a shell of what it once was.
I've always enjoyed going to the Nazareth Area School District Art Show. For one week, the gym was converted into a massive gallery and projects from K through 12th grade representing work from all students in all elementary buildings, plus those taking artistic classes in middle and high school was on display for students, parents, and the community.
At one time art work was judged. I liked this because for those students who were gifted in art, they should be recognized just as those in other activities are awarded and recognized for their accomplishments. Second, for those who were not artistically inclined but appreciated and wanted to learn more about art, they could look at the awarded entries and try to see how they differed from those that didn't receive awards. It allowed one to learn a little about what was considered exceptional work. The awards for elementary were halted a few years ago due to numerous parental complaints (turning it into the equivalent of the youth leagues that don't keep score).
But I digress, regarding the new art show format:
- Do I expect to go to the show at the HS this year? Probably not.
- Did my children get to see the art show in which their material was on display? No, because we are told not to bring our children to conferences.
- Did the grandparents have the opportunity to view the work as they did during previous years? No, because they were watching the kids.
- Did any members of the community have an opportunity to view the students work? I don't know, but during the time we were there it appeared to be parents waiting for their next conference.
What do you think? Good idea or not.
19 comments:
I find this to be not suprising but I am no less irritated. The visual arts are an important part of a well rounded education. And one cannot create art in a vacuum. Inspiration and influence is needed. Having a single show for the entire school district allows younger students (not to mention other parents and community members) to view art that they may not be able to see otherwise. This is a step in the wrong direction.
P.S. Ross, don't forget to put the adult soap box derby on your community calendar of events! Also, your site has been looking really good lately...more photos and pictures than usual. Keep up the good work.
Ross -- I was so happy to see your article, as I was complaining about the same thing to my hubby, making the exact comments that you have made. I told him about how this used to be a big event. The bands and choruses performed and lots of people came out each evening to hear the music and look at the art. I don't consider myself an artistic person, but I recall winning a couple of ribbons, and they made me feel great. Also, I recall the years that I did not win a ribbon, and I don't think it had a negative effect on my self-esteem. I'm assuming that's the reason they stopped judging the elementary work. Anyway, if you can do some investigative work and find out why they've taken this downward turn, I'd be interested in reading what you find out.
Having visited the art display at the HS off the main lobby, I am astounded by the amount of sheer talent I saw displayed on its walls.
That the district does not want to show this off blows my mind.
We are spending hand over fist on new sports venues (turf field, new track, new pool), but this should be held to the same degree of importance.
Are we telling these talented kids that what they do just doesn't matter? At least in NASD?
I cannot believe that the art show will not take place as it has for years and years. This was an excellent display of all the hard work and talents of all the NASD students along with the special art teachers alike. I know many community members with or without children in the schools really enjoyed the program. That is a real shame not to highlight the arts.
I can't remember whether I read this in school board notes or heard it somewhere else, but I recall that the district didn't want to pay the transportation costs for LNES & BES kids to be bussed down to the HS.
It's a shame too because it is a nice event for the entire community and although each school will do their own "show", it doesn't relate well to showing off to the community the abilities of all students!
What's the point of showing off... if there's no one to see it, pat you on the back for it, or give some small semblance of recognition.
Millions on athletics — literally! And we can't give some of our most creative thinkers the tiniest of venues. This says a lot about about who we are and where our values lie.
Maybe we should move the venue to main street, call it Nazareth Art Day. Have a contest - judged by local biz owners, and the best are brought in to our local business's for a week, or month, etc.
I think we need to write our school board members and request to go back to the old way. I've been going for years and I haven't had kids in school for a few years. I enjoy going and looking at the work my tax paying money is helping with. I was wondering why I didn't hear anything. I think parent, grandparents and community members need to write or call them and asked them to go back to an art show.
Stilfx-
You're preaching to the choir here.
I raised the issue regarding the money spent to level the MS (soon to be the IS) soccer field at the last meeting and was told by Dr. Lesky that this is the cost associated with supporting our athletic teams.
I simply asked the board members to consider our future financial situation (the fact that starting in 09, expenditures will exceed revenues by MILLIONS of dollars) and whether we really needed to spend this money on this project.
In the end, it didn't matter. The vote was 8-1 with no discussion.
I've been following NASD for sometime now and I am starting to get frightened...
What do you think they'll cut when they are faced with a $2M dollar deficit? What about the projected $5M deficit.
i guess i'm going to be kind of the lone wolf here but i thought the art show at bushkill elementary was really nice. i am a grandparent of 2 bes students so i visit the schools website pretty often to see what new is going on. the date for the art show was on the site for at least 3 weeks now. not only were the students artwork on display but the drama club was putting on a skit while we were there and it looked like the band might have played earlier. the 5th graders also took on as a fundraiser during conferences and the art show "alex's lemonade stand" which i thought was a great idea and not something i've ever seen any class do in all the years that i've been going to nazareth's art shows. i don't know about shafer's or lower nazareth's school sites but if you go under specials on the bushkill site and pull up art you can view some pictures and other artworks from all the students(except kindergarten). i thought this was a really neat idea. i know the school district spends like a kid at a candy store most times but i have to say that it makes sense to save some money by not having to bus all the students to the high school(i know everyone is probably groaning now saying "oh yea, they saved a lot of money", but a little here and a little there, i don't know) anyway, i'm also sure that it's a bit of a nightmare to try to schedule a time slot for each of the classes and coordinate all three elementary schools to go to an art show at the high school anymore. bushkill did a really nice job with their art show. thumbs up bushkill.
I imagine the individual elementary art shows were nice. But how many got to see them?
The District Art Show was for everyone - students, parents, teachers, and community members. Seniors were bussed in from Moravian Hall Square. Everyone came.
The District Art Show was an annual gift to the community. It was free to the public and brought us together as a community. It showed Nazareth is not just about football games and higher school taxes.
It showed that we care about life beyond sports. It showed our pride in our kids' accomplishments at all levels.
Artwork from younger students awed us all. High school students knocked our socks off with insightful photography, fine crafts and woodworking, and brilliant paintings.
Saving money is a convenient excuse. The District Art Show died a slow death because adults who valued it enough to do the organizational work are gone, retired or left.
The Administration doesn't have the foresight or concern to recognize the consequences.
Spending money on the Nazareth Art Show would benefit all students as all would have been able to participate either as an artist or a viewer of art.
The district spends millions on athletics in which only a small percentage of the student population is able to participate. If the district believes it needs to spend this kind of money 'to support our athletic programs', than it should develop a program where all kids who want to participate on a team are allowed to play - at least at the middle school level. It can be done, because I've seen other schools successfully implement this. As a parent and taxpayer it's frustrating to see the money spent on athletics when your child has to try out for a team and is not accepted. Unfortunately, the mind set is focused on winning versus having as many students participate as possible and guiding them toward a lifetime of fitness and the benefits of team play.
Stilfx,
You have a great idea, and it could kill two birds with one stone.
Hold a public version of the art show in downtown Nazareth.
This will allow everyone to enjoy the great artwork by students and teachers, and at the same time, bring the community together and possibly give some additional business to our local merchants.
It would also be a great way of sending a signal to the NASD leadership, especially if a large turnout can be generated. They could even take donations to support doing this on an ongoing basis.
The only thing is I would make sure that any member of the NASD administration was barred from any form of participation so they could not get up and spew like it was their idea.
Just a thought.
I think blogger just documented who's idea it was — Rich Strucke is the name. j/king, haha.. had to say it.
Anyway. You'll notice Art for sale in Pub's and Restaurants in bigger cities with more of an Art scene; Porter's Pub in Easton comes to mind.
Artist will leave their work on display, providing some very good and free decor for the business, but you'll often also notice a price tag / contact info on a corner of the piece.
My idea here isn't so much to sell it, but for one - to provide recognition, and two - attract attention (and revenue I'm sure) to the business that is supporting our local kids as artists.
I think its a win-win. Any downtown gala event is sure to help our local economy.
Ross, any way you could mention it to the downtown association? Not sure where to take it from here.
To sassy, I understand why you thought the art show at BES was successful and you enjoyed it and kudos to the elementary art teachers at all the schools for making their shows the best they can be.
I understand there were a number of positive comments from parents about seeing the artwork and the convenience of having it at the same time as conferences.
But what is sad, is someone used to be able to see more than just elementary art work. I am by no means an artist and it amazes me what kids can do at these ages and it's sad that the art show can't showcase the entire district.
And Brad is right...the administration doesn't think twice about dropping $$ for certain sports, but in a time when you can showcase every student and you won't do it makes you question their judgement. Exactly how much money was saved by this?? If it was a huge amount then tell us....it costs $______ so if we cut it out, we can put that towards our debt.
I know how admin works and they are going to take anything positive they hear about the elementary art shows and say what a great change it is. The thing they need to realize is they had a great thing in place where everyone benefited. Too bad they have made it something less.
I took my kids back with me to the school after conferences to see the Art Show---thought it was great and enjoyed seeing theirs and all their friends art pieces
I knew my kids had already seen it with their classes but I wanted them to show me their work and they were proud to do so
by the looks of the sign in sheet there wasn't that many viewers
also I didn't realize the local ES show precluded any other art show as I have always taken my kids to the HS comprehensive one and assumed the elementary art would be travelling over to the bigger showing--
so when we have 4 schools will we have to attend even more art shows? it really takes away the appeal of the whole family going out to see all the art in one place, including maybe the neighbor in MS, the cousin at LNES, the babysitter in HS---all in one place made it more of a family event and was a great representation of our district
way to take that away NASD
JMO-
We too took the kids to see the Art Show at Shafer after our conferences this afternoon. My son had been clamoring to see the Art Show for a couple days (even reminding me again this morning). So after conferences, we went and picked up the kids and brought them back.
They really enjoyed showing us their work as well as that of their friends and classmates. All the art was really well done and each child should be proud of their work.
I too was disspointed by the turnout (attendance) but I guess that's the way it goes...
This is very sad news to me. NASD will never change.
If you play sports you are fine at Nazareth and if you don't - you are on your own. This is the way it has always been here!!
What is next the plays, band concerts, ect????
The Nazareth Area Art Show is changed but not dead. Talented high school students and their teachers are in a frenzy of preparation as we type to prepare for their displays at the show.
I hope that you will come to see their hard work and talent May 7, 8, 9 in the high school gym during school hrs. and from 6-9 pm. Professional artists judge the high school work and awards are provided for the 1st- 4th place winners in Art, Photo, and Crafts. There will be about 100 pieces from each elementary school and the middle school.
In addition there is an opening reception for the Alumni Show Friday May 9 from 6-9 pm in the Eagle Nest Gallery off the main lobby where the technology fair is being held. Come and support our graduates who have made art a part of their lives.
There will also be a Fashion Show highlighting the clothing our students designed and made on May 8 at 8 pm in the high school cafe.
Please come and show your support for the arts and our talented students through your attendance.
Correction to my earlier comment:
The Fashion Show May 8 in the cafe begins at 7pm.
Also: The Nazareth Middle School Art Show will be May 2; 6-10 pm, Sat May 3; 1-4 pm and 6-10 pm, and Sun May 4; 1-5 pm during the times for the "Seussical the Musical".
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