Wrapping up the first semester, AGHS’s art department hosted Carol of the Arts, an event featuring all the artists on campus. Art from Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, and AP Studio Art was featured, and students from A Cappella Choir, Dance, Theater, Improv, and Band performed on the main stage at the Clark Center.
“Carol of the Arts celebrates unique talents of students that aren’t expressed in mainstream education systems,” AGHS dance teacher Shelby Vidal-Solis said.
Carol of the Arts is an ongoing tradition at AGHS, and each year it continues to evolve and grow.
“[Carol of the Arts began] well over 20 years ago,” Solis said. “It’s a constant showcase and a reminder of how inspiring the arts are.”
Carol of the Arts features diverse art forms in two sections. One section is an art gallery that features all the projects from the visual arts classes, and the other section is a performance on the main stage at the Clark Center, which features the performing arts students.
“It’s important that we do Carol of the Arts because it’s a great platform for all of the visual and performing arts to come together and spend the holidays making a wonderful concert happen,” AGHS Band teacher Matthew Barcus said.
Across all the art classes, students are committed to putting in their best effort in preparation for the show. Carol of the Arts can put a lot of pressure on students because it is the first big show of the year. Artists work hard to make sure the show goes well.
“[We have] dedicated all of our time to working on our holiday songs,” Barcus said. “We spend an hour every day each class period preparing.”
Not only do the performing students need to prepare, but setting up the visual arts is a long, tedious task. Hundreds of projects are submitted, and setting them up nicely and professionally can take a while.
“The set-up for our 2-dimensional artwork takes about three school days, and it’s done entirely by students,” Ceramics and Drawing teacher Lauren Gable said.
The beauty of Carol of the Arts comes from more than just the performers. The amount of effort that is put into the preparation pays off when the show starts.
“It is a celebration of all the great things happening in the Visual and Performing arts at AGHS,” Solis said.
