St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School

On March 17, Lower School students enjoyed a day devoted to the visual and performing arts known as ARTStravaganza. This annual event was developed seven years ago from the idea that each St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Lower School student would benefit from an opportunity to work with a diverse group of professional artists, dancers, and musicians who would share their love of the arts. Every year since its inception, a wide variety of professional artists from all over the country are invited to the Lower School campus to participate in this special day.

This year, 26 professional artists participated in ARTStravaganza, sharing their energy, passion, and knowledge with junior kindergarten through fifth grade students. The students spent the entire day attending workshops, which gave them hands-on opportunities to learn about percussion instruments, watercolor, modern dance, illustration, printmaking, storytelling, iconography, and much more.

In addition to hands-on demonstrations and activities, students also had a chance to talk with the artists about their lives, learning how they discovered their passions, the paths they took to becoming professionals, and the dedication that goes along with mastering their crafts.

“Walking around the Lower School campus during ARTStravaganza reminds me of my days spent in the conservatory,” said Lower School Music Teacher Rebecca Gehlhoff. “It is magical to see music echoing down the hallways and teachers counting one-two-three-four as dancers choreograph movements for students. ARTStravaganza is just one element that helps accomplish St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School’s mission, which includes ‘to inspire an enthusiasm for artistic endeavor.’"