Showcasing and celebrating the robust arts program at East Woods School, the Second Annual “Evening of the Arts” was held on May 1. Students and their families arrived on campus by 6:30 p.m. and were treated to the first of several student performances on the front steps of the main building. After this enthusiastic welcoming number by the fourth-graders, the guests were free to follow the hand-drawn map through both school buildings and various classrooms for the rest of the event.
Three dimensional dinosaurs, hand-painted birdhouses, Warhol-inspired pieces, computer animations, ceramic clocks, Native American rugs, and tribal masks were but a sampling of the varied and exciting art pieces on display. Interspersed throughout the exhibits in unexpected locations were student performers. Third-graders played several songs on their recorders, children from the after-school Glee class sang and performed “Thumbelina” and “Mamma Mia,” and several Upper School students sang and danced to “Revolting Children” from Matilda. Of course, no East Woods celebration of the arts would be complete without impressive performances by the East Woods School Band, the EWS R&B Band and the Upper School Chorus.
The evening would not have been the tremendous success it was without the hard work, vision and dedication of Orlando Peña (Artistic Director of Ovations at East Woods), Marie Ucci (EWS art teacher), Tom Knight (EWS Industrial Arts teacher), Brian Genua (EWS band director) and Jane Keidel (EWS music teacher). In addition, every faculty member played a role in getting the artwork and the school ready for this event. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the amazingly talented East Woods students and their up-for-anything enthusiasm.
