LAKEVILLE — The Fourth Grade Arts Day for the Region One School District proceeded mostly as usual on Wednesday, March 11, at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville.
The annual event is held during the independent boarding school’s spring break. Students from the six regional elementary schools are invited to the Lake-ville campus for the day. They are split up into small groups that combine students from each of the towns; they then cycle from activity to activity, participating in workshops in everything from dance to printmaking to making sculptures from cardboard.
Two presentations from out-of-town groups, Blue Jupiter and Dance China, were canceled.
The rest of the workshops are taught by artists from the area.
At the lunch break, a jazz group led by Kent Center School music teacher (and an instructor at the Kent School) David Poirier entertained the students. Tom Bouldin and Dave Wonsey (also from the Kent School) played bass and drums, respectively. Jim Santucci (a retired teacher from Chase Collegiate in Waterbury, Conn.) rounded out the group on piano
Poirier said he got a call “to throw together a group” on Monday morning, March 9, when coronavirus concerns forced the cancellation of the out-of-town performers.
In the art classrooms, Hotchkiss School art teacher Charlie Noyes coached students through the process of creating watercolor monotypes.
“What should be in the sky?” he asked one group, referring to a demonstration landscape.
The students responded:
“A dragon.”
“An egg salad sandwich.”
“An egg salad sandwich dragon.”
That made Noyes pause. “I’ve never heard of an egg salad sandwich dragon before.”
Christine Owens showed students how to make a ceramic drinking cup.
“Pinch, coil, smear,” she repeated as the children worked with clay.
Choreographer Amber Cameron took her group through a selection from the musical “Cats.”
“Act like a cat, move like a cat,” she said as she twisted around in a feline fashion.
John Marshall had a room full of children and drums. He kept them focused on a simple pattern of 16th notes, and gradually added improvised sections. The children responded well, especially when spoken phrases were added.
“Bucket of fish!” was one, which quickly morphed into “I hate fish/ ’Cause they’re gross.”
Also leading workshops were Lisa Marsan (Ukrainian eggs), Geoffrey Stewart (theater), Lilly Rand Barnett (art) and Henry Klimowicz (art).
Baylee Alderman of Kent Center School, left, and Marlow LaPoint of Kellogg School at Fourth Grade Arts Day. Photo by Alexander Wilburn
Ceramics instructor Christine Owen Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
Dance instructor Amber Cameron led her group of students in a performance set to the music of “Cats.” Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
Tatum Hall of Kent Center School Photo by Alexander Wilburn
Sadie Chapell of North Canaan Elementary School. Photo by Alexander Wilburn
Imogene Stern of Kent Center School Photo by Alexander Wilburn
