Anyone who has participated in or been to one of Rocky Mount Academy’s annual Spring Arts Festivals knows that it is an event not to be missed! The Spring Arts Festival is a time when the students of RMA put their artistic skills in the spotlight. The lower school students and middle and upper school chorus members provide the musical entertainment, and Mrs. Patton’s art students hold an art show with drawings, paintings, pictures, and photographs all on display. Here is a summary of what this year’s Spring Arts Festival included!

The theme for this year’s festival was Celtic. The lower school students performed an Irish jig to coincide with the theme! Elementary students also played some musical pieces on the recorder and a song dedicated to unicorns. Seventh grade added a special addition to the Festival by performing the Cup Song. Mr. Leonard’s upper school band provided music for the evening. As always, the band and all the singers impressed the crowd!

For the visual arts, the lower school and upper school will be put some great pieces on display! The lower school submitted lots of ceramic pieces. First grade had pinch pots, second grade had Mexican suns, third grade had alligators, fourth grade had owls, and fifth grade had coil pots. There were also paintings on display inspired by Henri Rousseau, Jim Dine, and Sandra Silberzweig. With the students’ artistic ability and Mrs. Hunter’s guidance, the artwork from lower school amazed all the festival goers. Mrs. Patton’s art students showcased many different kinds of work. The ceramics students had pottery on display, and the digital photography students showed the best moments they captured on their cameras. Paintings were on display from the oil painting classes as well. AP Art Student Caitlyn Vester said, “I have quite a few [pieces] I displayed. I showcased my self-portrait cutout that won both a gold key at the Regional Scholastic Art Awards and a Silver Medal at Nationals.  I displayed my oil painting I did of my dog Scout. This is a playful painting in which I played around with light rays and colors (I ended up giving it to my brother for Christmas!). I also displayed a pencil drawing of my horse Angel and a few more pieces including my wrapped animal portrait which won an Honorable Mention at the Regional Scholastic Art Awards.”

The 2017 Spring Arts Festival was surely a hit! Everyone felt the rhythm of the Celtic music and saw the hard work the art students have put in this year. Thank you for everyone who came out to support RMA students!