Cultivating Creativity: Fine Arts Camp Inspires SCSD Students

“May all beings be happy and free…” music teacher Leigh Party-Benedict said calmly as she led a group of yoga students in a closing mantra.
 
Thanks to the annual SCSD Fine Arts Camp, over the course of three weeks, middle and high school students are invited to explore a variety of artistic pursuits – from world drumming, 2D art, digital media, drama, music composition, and – new this year – theatre tech and yoga.
 
“I had never done yoga before, but I really like how it makes me feel healthier and calmer,” incoming Clary 8^th grader DeKari Jackson said as he rolled up his yoga mat. “It gives me a positive attitude.”
 
In another classroom, a handful of students quietly worked on sketching, painting, or drawing. Incoming ITC sophomore Carla Brewer consulted an image on her phone as she worked to re-create it by hand.
 
“I hope to become a tattoo artist one day, so I like to practice drawing things people might want as a tattoo,” she explained. “I participated in this camp last year and wanted to do it again. I like art… it’s expressive and you can use it in so many ways to express how you feel. I like drawing and painting, and here at camp, there’s no time limit – I can just keep doing what I want to do [without having to move to another class].”
 
In the Nottingham auditorium, teacher Patrick Boyle led students through light demonstrations, sound board work, how to build set pieces and props, and more in the new Theatre Tech class.
 
“I learned how to build sets and stuff,” incoming Nottingham sophomore Meram Djouma shared. “I feel like these are skills I can use one day when I have a house… I’ve learned how to build things like chairs and benches, measure properly, use a drill correctly, and use a saw.”
 
In addition to these daily offerings, about a dozen 5^th through 12^th grade students enjoyed a weeklong music camp, which offered daily field trips to the Syracuse Orchestra headquarters. There, students played alongside symphony musicians for an hour and then participated in small group workshops – where they learned about everything from the music business and DJing to audition prep, music production, and more.
 
What wonderful opportunities for our talented student artists and musicians to develop their skills in the #SCSDArts!