Who doesn’t love the arts? And I’m not just talking about painting and drawing. I mean the whole lot: singing, dancing, acting, filming, writing, playing instruments, animation, poetry, and so much more! If you say that none of these have ever put a smile on your face, I don’t believe you. I believe that everyone, no matter who you are, shares an appreciation and adoration for the magic we call “the arts”. And recently, I discovered a day dedicated to showcasing and honoring all the art forms. Say hello to the Teen Arts Festival!
“It’s just… a celebration of the arts,” described Ms. “Lil” Lilikas, the GRHS choir and orchestra teacher. “There are art pieces that are displayed, there’s workshops, you could do dance workshops, you could do acting workshops, there’s video stuff and animation that you could do…sometimes they have, like, a Battle of the Bands type of thing, and there are different workshops throughout the day that you can go to.”
This year, Teen Arts is taking place at Bergen Community College on May 17. Many different towns get to go, so you can meet new people and make friends from other areas as you explore all the wonders on display. But one of my favorites about this day is that you get recognized and appreciated for your work! Let me tell you, as a writer, this is a huge deal. For me to share my writing and have a real published author (I know!!!) compliment it is enormous.
“It’s just this feel-good moment,” Mrs. Wechtler, 11th and 12th grade English teacher and the advisor of Mobius, explained. “It’s a way for me to say ‘It’s not just me who realizes what a brilliant, talented writer [you are], look at the other people in the room. They can see it too.’ [I believe] art is meant to be collaborative. And it’s an opportunity, truly and authentically, for writers to come together and experience that spirit of collaboration.”
Teen Arts is all about appreciating the work and dedication that everyone puts into their masterpieces. It exposes people to and elevates the arts, allowing individuals to express themselves and others to experience it. Most importantly, it allows us to find joy, be creative, and celebrate ourselves in everything we do. Art is a part of us, as individuals and as a community. Where would we be without it?
“School is so busy,” Mrs. Wechtler shared. “It can be so much, that sense [that] we have to do, do, do, do. And I think that art, singing, writing for expression, creating things with our hands and our minds, and even graphics on the computer, it forces us to slow down… I just feel like there’s so much joy in there. I want to encourage students to take their art classes, take their writing classes, take things where they can carve out space to be creative. Because it’s really important.”
This year was my first time attending the Teen Arts Festival, and I loved it. I hope this article encourages you to explore art more and maybe come check out the next one!
“I’m excited and I think it’s gonna be a good, a good day,” concluded Ms. Lil.
