Friday, February 3, marked the first-ever Griffin-Spalding County Schools (GSCS) Fine Arts Day event. Led by Jordan Hill Elementary School Music Teacher Megan Lokey and supported by school and district leaders, this event exposed Jordan Hill Elementary (JHE) students to many different forms of performing and visual arts. There were 21 small sessions and groups of students (one to three classes) rotated through the different sessions, some were in classrooms and some were in larger spaces like the gym or media center. Many of those sharing their talents in various forms of art were graduates from Griffin High School (GHS) or Spalding High School (SHS).
Perhaps the highlight of the day was Augusta, GA native Russell Joel Brown who had a lengthy career performing on Broadway in New York City. Brown played the roles of Mufasa and Scar in the Broadway musical Lion King for 12 years. Board of Education Chair R. Syntel Brown, who knew Russell Joel Brown and his post-Broadway work as a mentor in Augusta, extended an invitation. Russell Joel Brown is passionate about sharing the arts with students and has served as a keynote speaker and shared his experiences and motivational messages with tens of thousands of students. Board Chair Brown presented actor Russell Joel Brown with a proclamation and certificate of recognition on behalf of the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education.
JHE Music Teacher and Event Coordinator Megan Lokey shared that she worked at a previous school in a different district that did not have an art teacher, so they hosted a fine arts day to expose students to the different art forms. Mrs. Lokey brought the idea and event to GSCS. Lokey shared, “Music moves, motivates, inspires and elicits emotion. The Fine Arts Day event seeks to open students’ eyes to all the many artistic outlets that are out there for them to be a part of. I hope the event planted seeds to get students interested in art and music. Perhaps, later in life, they’ll engage in band or chorus or local performing arts, dance, theater, art, church praise bands, step teams, etc.”
Lokey also shared that the recent tornadoes did affect the event as some who had agreed to participate had damage to their homes, dance studios or other places of business and had to cancel. The event still had a strong line-up of diverse music styles and art forms exposing students to many different musical instruments and artistic mediums. Lokey said, “It is impactful to see kids who are introverted connect with art and music and come out of their shells.”
Lokey added, “Often, those who are less confident in academic areas excel in artistic areas. It is important that all students find a place to fit and many find enjoyment in the creative expression available through art and music. Teachers observed, through this event, how the arts really connected with many of their students. Some teachers remarked that they haven’t gotten that much out of some of their students all year and that some students really opened up. There was obvious impact as all of the students remained engaged all day and there wasn’t a single discipline issue from any student in any grade level all day long.”
Lokey expressed gratitude for all the community members who participated and/or supported the event. She expressed thanks to the board of education for their support and Board Chairman R. Syntel Brown who attended the event and helped recruit talented participants to share music and art. She also expressed appreciation for the support of GSCS District Fine Arts Director Jennifer Wilson, JHE administrators and GSCS district leadership.
GSCS District Fine Arts Director Jennifer Wilson said, “Fine Arts Day at Jordan Hill Elementary was a huge success. This opportunity for our young scholars to experience varying focuses of the Arts will leave a lasting impression on their life. Thank you to all the artists, actors, actresses and musicians who devoted time, talents and love of the arts with our students. It never ceases to amaze me how richly blessed we are with the talent in our community. Thank you to JHE Music Teacher Mrs. Lokey for organizing this event. It was an incredible day! Special thanks to our GSCS Superintendent Dr. Keith Simmons, JHE Principal Dottie English, JHE Assistant Principal Dr. Chandra Bell and the GSCS Board of Education for their continuous support of the fine arts programs in our district.”
Here is a list of those that provided demonstrations and presentations for students:
- Ryan Cummings - Classical Guitar and Electric Guitar – Camelot Theater Music Director
- Soggy Broccoli – Bluegrass Band
- Steve Norris – Trombone, Bugle and other horns – First Baptist Church Pastor
- Cheyenne Taylor – Vocalist – recent GSCS graduate
- Valerie Gill and Madison Smith – Opera – GHS graduates
- Audrey Hare – Atlanta Youth Orchestra, Trombone – SHS Junior
- Mundy’s Mill High School Jazz Band – Director Lewis Sharp is a parent of JHE student
- Spalding High Art Teacher Laurie Eurich and SHS art students - visual arts
- Brett Duncan – Visual Art and Design – GHS graduate, former teacher, local business owner
- Kierra Rojas – Painting – Anne Street Elementary Assistant Principal
- Cody Walraven – Guided Draw for students – Griffin Native
- Jaleel Wimbush – Murals and Pop Art –SHS Graduate
- Tami Scheuer – Art Therapy – GHS Graduate
- Jessica Gregory, Stache Studios – painting collage with students – Griffin local business owner
- Janet Prothro – Storytelling – GHS graduate, former SHS drama teacher
- Milla Riglin – Storytelling
- SHS Drama Students – performed scenes from Charlie Brown
- Camelot Theater – Acting, Lighting, Set Design, Props – local performing group
- Bruce Reid – made bracelets with students – shared about art, jewelry and repurposing things into art and jewelry
- Russell Joel Brown – Broadway acting, singing, Lion King
- Juanitress Cofield – Storytelling