Senior Elijah Richardson plays the cello during Clarke Central High School’s Fine Arts Night on Nov. 10. Richardson was nervous for his performances, but felt that they went well. “It was kind of nerve wracking. I remember being really nervous because I had to perform twice, and I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare,” Richardson said. “(But) I think overall, they had a pretty positive reaction to everything.” Photo by Miles Lawrence
Fine Arts Night, which was held for the first time on Nov. 10, allowed students to showcase their talents to audience members.
Clarke Central High School held its first Fine Arts Night on Nov. 10 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Media Center. The celebration was filled with audience members, live music and a wide variety of art.
After opening words from fine arts department co-chair Eunice Kang, the event began. There were multiple performances by students in several musical areas, including chorus, band, orchestra and piano, along with physical art from the various visual art classes, and performances from the drama department.
“I feel like everybody needs to dabble into the music and art stuff because a lot of people can forget about it,” senior Elijah Richardson, a cellist, said. “It’s nice to have a night to uplift musicians and artists, and (being) a part of it is really fun, too.”
During the event, sophomore Swetha Joson performed a piece on the piano titled “Canon in D.” Even though she was nervous during her performance, she feels that opportunities to perform are important.
“(To prepare) I just played a lot and then I even practiced before the event,” Joson said. “I think it’s important (to perform) because if you have talent or something, you should express it.”
Audience members could sit and watch the performances as they continued throughout the duration of the event or explore the displays that showcased students’ visual art. Sophomore Sinai Mack attended the event and left having gained a new perspective.
“I feel like everybody needs to dabble into the music and art stuff because a lot of people can forget about it. It’s nice to have a night to uplift musicians and artists, and (being) a part of it is really fun, too.”
— Elijah Richardson,
senior and cellist
“When I came (to Fine Arts Night), I was thinking it was just one (type of) art (that would be showcased), and it really (broadened) my perspective to see there’s more than one (type of) art and how beautiful it is,” Mack said.
Fine arts department teacher Heather Garland, who teaches the Ceramics and Sculpture I class, felt the event was a success for a variety of reasons.
“I think the night went very, very well. I think the turnout was great. I’m really glad that everyone stuck around until the end to see all the music. I think it was a huge success,” Garland said. “It’s important that these kids get recognized, and that we get to bring families in and see what everyone’s doing.”