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'Arts are alive and well within public school system'

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD Despite minimal time for arts education within the public school curriculum, arts are alive and well in the district, according to school officials.

The School Department in conjunction with the Creative Arts Committee will be producing the "Symphony of Fine Arts" fundraiser on April 30 to raise arts awareness and funds for new lighting in the high school theater and for the Creative Arts Initiative.

"This event is being used as a launch pad to kick off raising awareness about what we're really trying to do for creative arts throughout the curriculum," Erin Mountain, secretary to the superintendent, and also co-chair of the fundraiser, said.

The committee, established by Superintendent Suzanne Marotta, was formed last fall and gathered members of the School Department, parents and the community, forming an initiative to help support the arts, despite waning funding in the school's budget.

Since the committee's inception the members have applied for a $30,000 per year Massachusetts Cultural Council grant to be decided in September as well as establish a "Letter of Commitment to the Arts" endorsed by city officials in addition to this fundraiser.

Susan Mulvaney, principal of Tatham Elementary School and member of the Creative Arts Committee, said other than the high school, Tatham is the only school with an after school drama club. She attributes the existence of the club which produced "Beauty and the Beast" last weekend to the dedicated parents and other community volunteers.

"There is limited time and opportunity for arts education during the [school] day," Mulvaney said, adding that the fundraiser is an opportunity for students in the district to showcase their artistic abilities.

"I am personally committed to arts education and I see a lot of value in it," she said. "I'm committed to expanding arts education in the district."

Mountain explained that the event will feature a variety of art forms, including 18 to 20 performers and visual art to be displayed throughout the venue.

The event, at a cost of $5 per person, will also feature a silent auction to raise funds for the initiative and theater lighting. There will also be a V.I.P. Reception, at a cost of $30 per person, including hors d'oeuvres and a show ticket.

Bill Garvey, co-chair of the Creative Arts Committee, said he will be managing the V.I.P. reception, which will also feature his artwork. He explained that the hors d'oeuvres will be suspended on ice above metal drums and as the ice increasingly melts the dripping water will create music at an increasing rate.

"This event is about sharing our arts vision for the district," Garvey said. "We're never going to have a [School Department] budget environment that will accommodate the arts but we must commit to its importance."

He noted that he will also be sharing the committee's commitment to the arts letter for members of the public to endorse.

In addition to the music, dance, poetry and theater performances, "Friend of the Arts" awards will be given to a School Department staff member, a student and a member of the community.

"One of the things we wanted to do is focus on some of the local talent of teachers and students to showcase people who have done extraordinary things with that talent," Mulvaney said.

Mountain said she is hoping to fill the high school auditorium, which seats 1,086. She explained that the proceeds will help to enhance the theater lighting for all future productions.

Mountain added that the committee is also looking to raise funds for a permanent theater arts coordinator for the district sometime in the future.

"I'm in the process of targeting other grants," she explained. "The thrust will be to get money for the theater arts coordinator position. In this district it's obvious that they believe in the importance of the arts and we decided that no matter what, we'd keep the arts alive and bring more arts opportunities to the district."

Tickets for the event are available at each school, the School Department, 26 Central St., and the West Springfield Credit Union, 58 Union St. Tickets will only be sold at the door if available.

The V.I.P. hors d'oeuvres reception will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m.

For more information call 263-3290 or go to www.wsps.org.