The FAB Spotlight is on the Fine Arts Boosters this month. That is FAB-ulous because the raves are in.
For eight months you have read about the impressive talents of our Kingston High School featured artists. Most the students we profiled graduated this year.
FAB is now four years old. The FAB founders knew the new school and arts teachers as well as their talented students needed support so they organized a group to do just that. Now, their own children have graduated, so support for future art students depends on new folks. Thanks to our board members and founders Pat O’Morchoe and Lasica Crane, whose tireless commitment means FAB moves on into 2011.
So what exactly does FAB do? We recently awarded scholarships to pay AP portfolio fees for seven Visual Arts AP students. At the recent Festival of the Arts, FAB gave three “Outstanding Artist” cash awards to Tatum Larson, Lauren Wynn, and Elsa Brown. And at the FAB-sponsored Senior Showcase at the Indianola Clubhouse a college scholarship was awarded to Kayla Campbell, who heads for Jacksonville University with interests in pottery and glass blowing. Frames necessary for hanging art work in gallery shows, locking storage for art supplies, sheet music to expand the choir and band music library, pipe and drape to transform the commons into a theater and concert hall, drop microphones, transportation to debate team competitions – all these things are made possible with FAB funds.
Teacher raves add more details. D. MacKinnon, debate advisor, writes, “FAB funds allow the debate team to compete in additional tournaments each season. Since opportunities increase the more a student competes, this directly benefits our team members in the art of public speaking.”
Band and choir Director Adam Campagna says “Thanks KHS FAB for the tireless work in advocacy for the arts” and adds the music stand lights used in the musicals to the above list.
Alison Roberts, drama teacher, points out that “FAB is there at every KHS arts event and supports us behind the scenes through advocacy. It is wonderful to know we have them behind us during these financially challenging times.”
Visual Arts Teacher James Andrews says “the arts programs at KHS have been incredibly well served by our wonderful FAB. FAB has made an immeasurable difference in arts education at KHS and in the lives of its students.”
FAB was able to meet the above needs by running concessions at the many arts events. Many local businesses and individuals become sponsors. As we look to the fabulous future of FAB we look to parents of band, choir, drama, debate and visual arts students, and to folks who value the arts in our community, and invite them to take an active role. There are even ways to support the arts from home.
