Brandon Twp.- It was a day of art appreciation on Feb. 16 at Harvey Swanson Elementary.
During Festival of the Arts, instead of their regular classes, students spent the day attending workshops in which they experienced different art forms such as music, movement, and visual arts.
‘The kids love it,? said Principal Helen Clemetsen of the festival. ‘It is breaking down barriers of schooling and exposing them to what’s out there in art and how it enhances our lives.?
Two assemblies were presented to all students? ‘Art is Everywhere,? and Guy Louis? ‘U.S. American Music Tour.? Workshops taught by members of the community that students could select from included photography, dance, gymnastics, watercolor painting, jewelry design, scrapbooking, theatre/stage improv, burlap art, chalk art, and rubber stamping.
Local musicians Toby and Lucas Heller and the Brandon High School Jazz Band were also present for workshops in the school’s annual festival, part of a four-year cycle. Other festivals are the Festival of Kindness, Festival Internationale, and next year’s Festival of Science.
‘This is really fun,? said fourth-grader J. Edward Keating, who signed up for jewelry design, photography and scrapbooking. ‘It’s fun to see what people do for a living.?