“Unleashing creativity” is a guiding theme within our arts programs. The arts are alive and thriving at Riverview School this year as a result of the over $170,000 raised at the 2007 Village of Dreams Benefit Gala. Dramatic storytelling, digital photography, set design, computer graphics design, children’s book writing and illustration, and chorus are just a sampling of the art activities that are offered on a daily basis. And the response from the students has been, well, dramatic!
At Riverview we recognize the intrinsic value of the arts for our students and we have committed to expanding our offerings on campus. Beyond the obvious tangible outcomes, art, music and drama are also effective tools for teaching valuable skills that can be applied to every day life. For example, in an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, drama students in the high school are learning to improve their eye contact and concentration skills, while exploring one of the classics. Drama teacher, Mrs. Vicky Summers, also notes “by taking on the roles of different characters, students begin to develop a better awareness of the perspective of others.”
Students in Dr. Joyce Payne’s studio/visual arts class are working on many different projects including paper mache sculptures, paper quilts, paper aquariums and the writing and illustration of children’s books. Payne comments that “observation skills are enhanced when a student is required to sketch or describe a visual scene. This also requires them to make logical sense of space.” In addition students also improve their fine motor skills through drawing and model-making projects.
Creative Arts Specialist Mr. Nate Olin favors a free form atmosphere in his classroom in order to allow his students to find the artist within. Through painting, drawing, sculpture, and poetry, students are then able to reveal their inner selves. Olin adds, “Whether the students come into my classroom with too much energy or not enough, art serves to bring them into focus and direct their thinking in an interactive and creative way. It is very gratifying to see how much talent our students have.”
Music teacher Ms. Joy Indomenico works with students and staff to integrate music into the thematic units of instruction. For example, as the senior team studies immigration, they are also learning a song called “No Irish Need Apply,” which further chronicles the obstacles the Irish faced when they arrived in America. Indomenico states, “Beyond enhancing sensory awareness, music encourages creativity and self-expression amongst all students.”
Art isn’t just a classroom activity; it is everywhere at Riverview! High school residential supervisor, Mr. Greg Simpson, leads the Deja View Chorus, a group that performs several times throughout the year. He and GROW residential supervisor, Mr. Chris White, also teach guitar lessons, which along with piano, hand drums and vocals, incorporates the talents of over 50 students. Additionally, students are involved in Rock Band, Rock Band 101, DJ Club, music recording/production, Zumba (a combination of dance and exercise) and Hip Hop dancing, with performances planned for the Talent Show in March.
Riverview staff are constantly on the look out for the “islands of competence,” i.e. strengths and talents of each student. For many students, their “island” is in the arts. Learning lines for a drama production, lyrics to a song, producing a painting, creating stage set design, shaping a sculpture, writing poetry all require students to envision a finished product and then work diligently towards that end. And when students reach their respective goals and see or hear the tangible results of their efforts, the boost to their self-esteem is immeasurable. That moment, as one instructor puts it is “the truest value of art.”
