By Chloe Nash, Editor-In-Chief
May 23, 2025
ROCKLAND- The 53rd Annual Arts Festival was held at Rockland High School over two days on April 30 and May 1.
The show features a mix of 2-D and 3-D artwork from students in K-12, along with high school digital imaging and photography.
There were also creative pieces from preschool, daycare, and the Chipmunk art program at the Rockland Rec. Plus, there are sewing and cooking displays from Family Consumer Science.
Besides artwork, every year the K-12 Music Department puts on a band and chorus concert on both nights.
There is also a cultural event hosted by the Multilingual Department, along with face painting, food trucks, fun make-and-take art activities run by STEAM, Rockland Rec, and the middle school art crew, as well as a smoothie stand run by cooking teacher, Ms. Adrienne Donovan.
One of the art teachers, Ms. Cheryl Thompson, is always excited to see the A.P. Art Portfolios, where students have to make 15 pieces of art based on a theme.
Ms. Thompson said, “I think it is a huge confidence boost to all of our student artists and musicians. It’s the one week where they can show off their talents and skills.”
The Art show tries to showcase at least one work of art by each art student, K-12. The Advanced Art and A.P. students get to show off their portfolios.
Ms. Thompson highly recommends students attend the Art Show next year as “it is about bringing the entire district and the community together for two nights to celebrate art, music, our diversity, and much more.”
High school principal, Ms. Cheryl Schipper, enjoyed seeing the culminating projects from the AP students and the progression of students from elementary to high school.
Ms. Schipper’s favorite part is being able to see all the work that gets taken in through artists, musicians, photographers, and more.
“It blows me away that students are that talented at such a young age. I know that art is deeply personal and to put yourself out there and share your work takes courage,” Ms. Schipper said.
Jaycee Comeau, junior art student, loves the face painting booth and finds art as a self-expression for creativity.
Comeau said, “Participating in the art show provides a meaningful opportunity to aid my community as a student, and to show off my effort over the year in my art.”