Dearborn's Ford Center to Feature Student Art

The Dearborn Public School District’s art teachers have teamed with the Padzieski Gallery at the for a student exhibit for the past several years–but in 2011 a finer point will be placed on the importance of arts to young people.

The All Schools K-12 Art Show will kick off with its opening event on April 27, according to Mary Blair, the coordinator of the show and an art teacher for Dearborn Schools. The show will feature more than 200 creations by Dearborn’s most talented young artists, from paintings to sculptures to multi-media artwork.

“One of the hardest things that we have to do as teachers is to choose the art for this show, because each teacher has a limited number of selections, and we have so many talented students," Blair said. “I do think that people will who come to the show will be pleasantly surprised by the quality or work at the show and the creativity of our students."

In addition to the visual arts show, which will take place from April 27 to May 30, performing arts will also be highlighted at the 2011 Youth in Arts Festival, which will highlight the dance, musical and dramatic talents of Dearborn’s kindergarten through 12th grade students. That event will take place at 7:30 pm on May 11 at the center's Michael A. Guido Theater.

“This is the first time that we have brought together students from all of the schools; there will be about 175 students performing,” said EmmaJean Woodyard, the executive director of the Dearborn Community Fund, which is sponsoring the event.

Show Highlights

The opening event for the student art show will include opportunities for some students to explain how the creative process works for them, and the inspiration behind their selected works, said Blair. Awards–divided into several grade categories–will be given for artistic excellence, including a Superintendent’s Award, which was given out for the first time last year.

“I have always enjoyed the arts, and this was a chance for me to pick out something I like,” said superintendent Brian Whiston. “I have the artwork framed for the student, and they get a gift certificate for art supplies, so they can continue to improve and be creative.”

During the festival on May 11, fifth-grade students will demonstrate the Japanese braiding technique known as kumihimo. Decorative items will be on sale to benefit the victims of the recent earthquake in that country.

The team of artists working on the Pockets of Perception visual arts project will have examples of their designs for their project, which will culminate in the installation of outdoor sculptures this year.

Choral groups that will perform include the Elementary Honors Choir, the Secondary Honors Choir, and the Edsel Ford Choir.

Additionally, the Musical Theater Students will perform.

Instrumental groups that will take the stage include the Jazz Band, the 10th Grade Band, the Maples Music Ensemble, and the Dearborn Youth Symphony Flute Choir.

Dearborn graduates who have successful careers in the art will also perform, including pianist John Boonenberg and G. Kevin Dewey, the director of Choirs at , who will conduct the program’s closing number.

Arts’ Importance

During difficult economic times, arts can be marginalized in schools, said Woodyard.

“Arts are important part of our children’s development, and it was time to place an emphasis on the contributions art can make on young people,” she said. “It’s important that young people have access to the arts.”

Dearborn Schools’ art programs have remained stable, however.

“I’m proud that we haven’t had cuts in the arts since I became superintendent,” said Whiston.

The superintendent added that continuing financial distress at all public schools have often put arts programming on the block, but not in Dearborn.

“We have had some classes cancelled because there weren’t enough students interested, but we have a strong program, which will continue.”

The All Schools K-12 Art Show will kickoff at 4 p.m. with an awards ceremony. The exhibit will then be open to all art lovers. The Youth In Arts Festival will begin at 7 p.m. on May 11. The Padzieski Gallery and the Michael A. Guido Theater are located inside the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center at 15801 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn.