Veritas Prep Art Walk
Vertias Prep May 3, 2023 -
The Veritas Prep Art Walk is an annual tradition celebrating the great work our students do in the fine arts within the Great Hearts curriculum. Veritas Prep recently showcased students’ visual and musical artwork on campus during the evening event.
“This is an annual event that takes place each Spring. I believe this is our 10th year,” said Jeff Dick, Master Teacher of Fine Arts and Instructor of Studio Art at Veritas Prep. “It started with the simple notion of reaching out to the community-at-large in sharing the amazing artwork our students make. Along with displaying student work, there are also individual musical performances by students, as well as performances from our various choral extracurriculars.”
The Art Walk puts the fruits of a Great Hearts education on display to families and to the community in a captivating presentation of student artworks and performances. The experience of Beauty that students produce brings a sense of the students’ wonder to the forefront. This public presentation is perhaps the most important display of the school’s work to everyone in the community. It is a visual representation of the Beauty we pursue.
“In terms of the artwork, it is open to all students,” explained Mr. Dick. “Usually at least one work per student is displayed. Because this includes 6th, 7th, 8th, 11th, and 12th grades, there are well over 500 pieces displayed. This event is always well attended enthusiastically by the community – the students are really proud of their accomplishments and families look forward to seeing the artwork.”
Mr. Dick believes the Fine Arts curricula are vital to shaping the Great Hearts student. “An event such as our Art Walk is just a great opportunity for all of us to come together as a community and celebrate the spirit of what we do here.”
The Fine Arts are taught as arts, and something an artist does and others encounter. Students engage the Fne Arts on both levels: doing and encountering beauty. They will explore the practice of the art as well as the theory of each discipline: its matter and the form.
Learning to produce works of art is not reserved for the naturally talented. Adults will often say things such as, “I was never good at art… I can’t sing to save my life.” Or when viewing student artworks, “I could never do something like that!” We believe all scholars can learn artistic skills when taught.
The students are taught the elements of the Fine Arts to give them the tools to use for the rest of their life. They are exposed to the masters to give them depth of artistic material to encounter for the rest of their life. Students are taught the Fine Arts to give them the ability and means to have a life-long encounter with and participation in Beauty.
Students should come away with an appreciation of human potential for excellence. They can step outside of themselves and their own times, appreciating the value of participation in a collective endeavor (a dramatic production that fulfills the vision of Shakespeare, or a choral performance of a Brahms Motet), and the study of great works that allow them to see the origins of excellence and better understand the tradition from which new and creative works are generated.
Be sure to support and attend the next art showcase or choral concert that your academy offers and continue to encourage your child’s exploration of the Fine Arts.
Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.