Fine Arts Week, hosted by ASB, featured showcases and performances from different visual and performing art classes at Northwood from April 8-12 to promote and expose students to the arts electives.
Organized by Fine Arts Commissioner junior Katherine Jiang, the week featured different live performances during break and lunch each day, such as a performance from jazz on April 9 and Flash Mob on April 11 at The Oak along with art displays around campus throughout the week. The events all culminated with a school-wide assembly and Night of the Arts on April 12.
“Fine Arts Week is to recognize all the visual and performing arts at Northwood and their achievements,” Jiang said. “It’s an opportunity to show their peers what they’ve been doing throughout the year.”
All Northwood feeder elementary and middle schools were invited to the Night of the Arts, where they could see the different art offerings with performances from band, choir and dance. A highlight of the event was the displays of artworks in the gym made by elementary, middle and high school students, with prints of these arts being available for purchase. Volunteers from Northwood art classes also offered face painting for attendees.
“The goal of the show is to show these elementary and middle school students what their art could look like if they continue to take art throughout high school,” art teacher Kim Rohrs said. “It also serves as a way for them to experience so much more so they can think about what other electives to sign up for when they get here.”
Held for the first time since spring of 2019, the Friday assembly had a bigger emphasis on performing arts and was hosted as a live episode by NTV, Northwood’s broadcasting network. During a unique assembly schedule, students came together in the gym during two separate sessions to watch performances from dance, choir, band, colorguard, jazz, theater and orchestra, with segments on visual arts classes being shown between the performances.
“We had to put in a lot of work during and after school to make sure that the Fine Arts Rally looked its best, but I think our work really paid off,” NTV sports host junior Dean Witt said. “It was super fun to see all the arts perform in person, and we are looking forward to doing it again next year.”
Arts teachers believe that Fine Arts Week is a celebration of the work and preparation of students across different arts programs that they hope excited students about the variety of opportunities at Northwood. Incoming Northwood students are encouraged to look into the variety of VAPA programs offered as they choose their freshman year electives.
“Art classes allow for creativity and passion to thrive because it gives students a safe space to make friends while being a break from the stress of normal school,” band member sophomore Nolan Nelson said. “Even though I am already in the arts, watching the bands perform during Fine Arts Week inspired me to improve in something I love.”
