Head of School Letter: The Arts at Shorecrest

Creative achievement is one of the four pillars of Shorecrest’s Mission. Throughout the school year, the visual and performing arts are integrated into school life. As is our tradition, we also take time each April to "Celebrate the Arts," an opportunity to showcase the School’s commitment to and value of visual, performing and literary arts.

Student artwork and special exhibits are displayed in many spaces throughout campus, including the many award-winning pieces recognized by the Pinellas County Art Region of The Scholastic Art Awards. Walk through any classroom or hallway and the quality of student artwork is clearly evident and often remarked upon by many visitors.

Every month performers shine on the Janet Root Theatre stage, with impressive musicals, plays and concerts. In the Experiential and Lower Schools, each student in every class has their own time in the limelight, as they perform their grade’s annual productions for their classmates and families. Later this month our own student musicians will perform in the Spring Concert on Friday, April 25, in the Janet Root Theatre at 7pm, featuring the Lower, Middle and Upper School bands. 

This week includes the much-anticipated spring musical "The Addams Family," a hilarious production by Upper Schoolers and eighth graders. With lots of big dance numbers, beautiful costumes and characters larger than life, "The Addams Family" is fun for all ages. Tickets are still available for the performances on Friday night and Saturday afternoon this week, April 11 and 12, at 7pm in the Janet Root Theatre. 

In the Middle School, students perform for their peers and other members of the community during our MS Arts in the Quad event. Performances include songs, musical instrumental numbers, dramatic monologues or a short scene from a play, all highlighting the performing arts and Middle School artists.

During the week of Celebrate the Arts, numerous visiting artists join Lower School students on campus to perform and involve the students in hands-on creative activities. Among other musicians, talented cellist Victor Huls and pianist Wesley Ducote performed for first and second grade students during their music classes. Other Lower School students took part in a Japanese Tea Ceremony, highlighting the art of Japan and participating in the much beloved ritual. Courtney Ross, a local poet and youth poetry mentor, joined third graders and inspired them (and me!) to write our own “Six Word Memoir.”

Poetry has a very special place in the tradition of Shorecrest’s Celebrate the Arts, with the Lower School’s Poetry in the Park, a much beloved Shorecrest tradition. After weeks of studying and writing poetry, each Lower School class will have the experience of reciting poetry outdoors, in front of a large group of classmates and family members. It is an uplifting event of celebration, enjoyed by all.

The Arts reminds all of us about the soaring power of feelings, as illustrated through words, music and visual renderings. Artistic expression is part of the soul of Shorecrest and we are proud of the many opportunities we provide for our student artists.

All the best,

Nancy