The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush holds events each year in order to raise money for the different art departments. Concerts, festivals, plays, shows, and exhibits commemorate the craftsmanship and dedication of the students, while giving them an outlet through which to present their creations.

The exhibition of art and music at Glen Foerd on the Delaware benefitted the Visual Arts department. Attendees observed the talents of Rush students on display while the Jazz Ensemble, directed by Sean Marks, performed several musical pieces, including some from the upcoming Instrumental Concert on December 20.

The exhibition included work from the students in:

• Visual Arts 1, 2, & 3
• AP Art
• Media Arts 1, 2, & 3
• Graphic Arts 1, 2, & 3

These classes, taught by Dominic Doyle, Cathy Bateman, and Louis Mazza, help students expand upon their artistic abilities, while having access to materials that they may not have outside of school. In class, students are provided with the necessary materials for their chosen course, such as professional cameras or portrait canvases. Having these tools at their disposal allows for the art students to gain experience with the medium, and thus they are able to create fully developed works at school. Each course employs a variety of different techniques and styles, allowing for the students at Rush to build a distinct portfolio of individual work. These pieces, which include photographic collages, oil paintings, short films, and graphic collages, show that there is no shortage of artwork from the students in the Visual Arts Department. The artwork featured at the exhibition were a compilation of the student’s work from this current school year.

The Glen Foerd exhibition was one of several upcoming events to benefits Rush’s art departments. Each one is an opportunity for students to share their talents with the public, while enjoying their well-deserved recognition. Erika Rivera, an AP Art and Media Arts 3 student, had her piece “MORE THAN WORDS” on display at Glen Foerd. “It was really nice to be able to bring my piece back to impact others. Seeing people’s perspectives opening was really interesting!” Erika said about the exhibition. “The reaction of others is why I do what I do.”

These shows are a part of what makes The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush such a unique school, and are why the students that attend the school are successful in their creative endeavors. The next event to be held at Rush is the Instrumental Concert on December 20th.