By Shannon Hicks

Invitations from the teaching staff at Newtown Middle School will be sent home with every student this weekend, informing parents of an upcoming “Celebration of The Arts” being planned by students and faculty at the Queen Street school. Invitations will also be extended to all members of Newtown’s Legislative Council, the elementary school students and teachers, and to all Board of Education members and district administrators to take part in a grand event being planned for Monday, April 24.

The public at large is also invited to enjoy a night of celebrating the arts in many of its forms, above and beyond the two-dimensional drawings and paintings that usually come to mind with the first mention of the word “art.”

Because the term “art” incorporates the visual arts, the written arts, and the performing arts, Newtown Middle School’s classrooms, library, and technology centers will all host presentations, demonstrations, and artwork exhibitions. From 6:30 to 8:30 pm on April 24, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students will all be presenting ongoing pieces of original theater, foreign dance demonstrations, and Special Olympics events.

“This is not our traditional Concert Night, with some artwork strewn in for background effect,” NMS art teacher Claudia Clancy said this week. “There will be music during the celebration, but Concert Night is a completely different night this year.”

“The celebration has grown this year to include everyone — the physical education department, computer-generated art, performing arts, and English students with literary arts, all in addition to the art students,” added another NMS art teacher, Arlene Spoonfeather.

Among the events already scheduled for A Celebration of the Arts will be students representing the teachings of the music department. There will be performances by the school’s Jazz Band, Concert Choir, and Eighth Grade Chorus. Various NMS Band members have also created four quartets that will perform.

Students of Spanish teacher Holly Ferguson will add an international flavor to the evening, with their performances of Hispanic-style dances. Another Spanish teacher, Sarito Chandler, has been leading an after-school workshop in which, since early February, students have been creating piñatas. These works of art will be on display throughout the school.

Georgia Betay’s students have been concentrating on the theatrical arts. The children have been writing their own short plays, in which they are also starring, under the direction of Mrs Betay.

Computer technology students of Jen Tarabulski will be presenting multi-media displays. Special Olympians, under the guidance of physical education teacher Jane Vouros, will also be in the spotlight for the celebration.

Demonstrations using various mediums will also be ongoing in the school’s art rooms, located along the corridor of the C-wing. Artwork from students’ portfolios, featuring different projects the children have been working on dating back to September, will be presented in an expanded gallery area.

Parents and visitors should note that the only entrance of the school that will be open for entry Monday night will be the Main Lobby door, off the side parking lot.

Guidance to the various presentations will be available for all visitors Monday night as well. Student tour guides who are participating in the school’s Ambassador Program will be on hand for A Celebration of The Arts, greeting visitors at the door and offering directions to different locations. The students are being trained to act as docents for similar future programs.

“This is going to be a celebration of the arts, all of the arts, not just the visuals,” Mrs Clancy emphasized this week. “And because the presentations will be ongoing, visitors can drop in for a few minutes or stay for a few hours.”

“The idea for the night is that there will be constant events, all overlapping each other,” said Mrs Spoonfeather. “It’s going to be a full night of activity and entertainment.”

A Celebration of The Arts is planned for Monday, April 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at Newtown Middle School. Students in all grades will be participating, and the public is invited. There is no admission charge.