To celebrate the coming of spring, the arts department is holding the Liberty Gala on April 30, The gala will showcase the many talents of students here at Liberty, including fine arts, musical abilities, and culinary arts. The theme of this year’s show is “Bloom” and they have expanded on that to include all things spring.
When the teachers in charge of the gala were brainstorming a unique installation that utilizes many student’s handiwork, they were led to the phrase “April showers bring May flowers.” From this phrase, umbrellas were brought to the minds of our art teachers.
One of the main features of this art show will be displayed in the 600 hallway, where 100 umbrellas will be strung up from the ceiling.
“I was inspired by [world-renowned glass artist] Dale Chihuly,” art teacher Carrie Middendorf said. “If you’ve seen his installations, you know that its very organic shapes that remind me of an umbrella, and I thought that would be really cool to put down in the theater hallway.”
Any student is able to contribute to the display and take their own spin on the theme of this year’s show. Many students are choosing to paint their umbrellas, but some are incorporating embroidered or sculpted aspects.
“One thing that I like about it, because I teach a lot of 2D classes, is that it’s a 3D thing that they are drawing or painting on,” art teacher Ashley Bradley said. “It’s cool to be able to take a 2D work, like a painting, and turn it into something 3D.”
Liberty’s gala is a collaboration between art departments and teachers, between students and their peers, showing how our talents will bring us together. You may have a completely different idea or perspective based on just one word, in this case bloom, but your ideas can still work and flow together with those around you to create a beautiful artwork.
So save the date, and clear your schedule to come see Liberty’s magnificent artwork on April 30.
“It’s going to be so cool. I look forward to seeing the reactions of all the students at Liberty as they get to see the biggest art display we have ever done!” art teacher Katie Biere said.
