In such an artistically-rich campus, we sometimes forget that others are not as culturally advantaged as we are.
A small group of Seton Hill University (SHU) art students are helping to bring creativity into the area where it is most needed and most often forgotten: public schools.
It all began last spring.
By Daniella Choynowski,
Contributor
In such an artistically-rich campus, we sometimes forget that others are not as culturally advantaged as we are.
A small group of Seton Hill University (SHU) art students are helping to bring creativity into the area where it is most needed and most often forgotten: public schools.
It all began last spring.
�Art Transforming the Community was offered in the spring of 2006 … the class was about what the art programs could do to make a difference in different areas,� explains Ryan Carroll, a sophomore music student.
�It was about what we could do, as students of arts, music and theatre, could facilitate that,� he said.
The Arts Community program was a companion to the class. A group of arts scholars were chosen to select elementary and middle schools. Over the course of seven weeks at each school, the students worked with the children to create inter-generational bonds with their caregivers through the arts.
Children created their own theater and music projects, as well as paintings and sculptures. At the conclusion of the program, the children held showings and performances of their works.
The Arts Community program gave the children something to look forward to. �We are helping the under-served youth…we can see that some of these kids do not have a good art program at their school,� said Marie Manski, a sophomore. Some of the schools were or are about to have their arts programs cut.
The program was aimed at the kids, but the SHU students ended up getting just as much out of it as they did.
�It is great to have others want you to share your abilities and knowledge for their own sake. It was awesome, as the weekends went on to see the different personalities of the kids who joined the program and see them all working together,� said Joel Brown, a senior and Setonian staff writer.
At the end, the SHU students didn’twant to leave their students behind.
Similar to the bond that forms between cast-mates of a theatrical production, or members of a choir or club, the two generations of arts students formed close friendships. It is no doubt that each side has laid their handprints on the other side’s hearts.
�The bond with the kids definitely stays,� said Manski. �They might not remember my name, but they�re going to remember what they did there and what they accomplished.�
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