Harding Charter Prep festival to showcase fine arts
Harding Charter Preparatory High School will host its inaugural Fall Arts Festival on Oct. 14, featuring members of the school family with a variety of talents, including students, graduates and associates.
This multigenre festival will spotlight both the performing and visual arts students for the daylong event set from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school, 3333 N Shartel.
Orchestra/band teacher Kelli Taylor and drama/speech teacher Michael Ferguson are spearheading the event, saying it is a way to showcase the accomplishments of the Harding Charter Prep’s fine arts students.
Besides art and photography pieces on display and for sale, the school orchestra, band and choir will all perform throughout the day. Harding Charter Prep accompanist Charlotte Dumesnil will perform on the piano. Additionally, there are plans to have small chamber ensembles perform throughout the day.
Ferguson will be hosting a short film festival during the day. Small groups of students will be able to submit their films to be shown to an audience, and viewers will vote on their favorites. Other activities will include improv sessions in the drama room at different periods of the day.
Members of the Harding Charter Prep family will host booths, including Phillip Rowland, of Rowland Custom Woodworking; Full Face Smile art; and Ryan Parrott, head chef of Picasso Cafe, will be featured. Patrons can get their face painted by expert student artists Elina Avila and Janeth Rivera, and Kona Ice will sell snow cones.
Admission to the festival will be $3. All funds collected will be used to support the arts program, but the goal isn’t to raise money. Instead, they hope to raise awareness of the flourishing arts programs at Harding Charter Prep.
Carole Kelley is the community outreach coordinator for Harding Charter Preparatory High School.