May 19, Bethlehem High School students and teachers premiered
a collaborative arts-in-education project featuring the works of almost 300
students. The free public event presented student work created
during a month-long arts-in-education residency with Indian classical musicians Veena and Devesh Chandra. This project uniquely featured
students and teachers across a broad spectrum of arts, music and history
classes working together to create a comprehensive educational
experience. The evening was filled with art displays, performances
and even food prepared by students.
For
the past month, students in the classes of history, music theory,
chorus, photography, videography, culinary arts, marketing, drawing and
painting have been learning about Indian music and culture. Weekly
sessions with the Chandras engaged students in
learning about this music and culture from the vantage point of their
specific subject. Students then worked with their school teachers to
develop and create projects that put this new knowledge into action.
The project was the first of its kind in the Capital District and
represented extensive efforts at collaboration across subjects. With the
current climate of education policy debate, this project was a unique
effort both educationally and artistically.
“This
is how education should be,” said art teacher George Dirof, whose
painting and drawing classes created self-reflective works based on the
Chandras' music. The more than 120 Ragamala-inspired
drawings and paintings based on "Raag Kafi," a springtime melody, were
on display at the performance.
In
addition to students using their artwork to synthesize what they have
learned, Devesh Chandra hoped they used the process to learn more
about themselves.
“Through this project, we hope to foster understanding,"he said.
"That is both understanding new cultures and also better understanding
one’s self. That self-reflection is the essence of our art.”
This project was made possible in part through an arts-in-education
grant, a program funded by the Arts Center of the Capital Region through
the New York State Council on the Arts.
--Edited by--
Jennie Grey
Education reporter
The Saratogian and The Record newspapers
20 Lake Ave.
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
jgrey@digitalfirstmedia.com
Office: 518-290-3898
Work cell: 518-222-2109
Blog: "Extra Credit: Education News from Around the Region": http://regionaleducation.blogspot.com/
