Garrettsville – James A. Garfield Middle School presented their 15th Annual Fine Arts Night last week at the school. The event was designed to give students who excel in the arts a chance to exhibit their talents and to celebrate Youth Art Month. They featured sculptures, paintings, drawings, instrumental music, drama and vocals. The evening was hosted by Art Teacher Kristine Gilmer. The cast from the spring musical “Annie get your Gun” opened the show by doing a preview of the musical that they will be performing in April. They were followed by the Middle School choir who performed “That’s Not Me” and “Neath a Mexican Moon,” along with students’ instrumental solos and ensembles and vocal solos and ensembles. Folks had the opportunity to see the art exhibit in the hallway as they traveled from the auditorium to the commons to hear the Middle School Band perform “Billboard March”, “Dark Adventure,” and “Images of Ireland” before closing out the evening with an “Armed Forces Medley.” The Fine Arts Night was started back in1998 by Mrs. Gilmer when the Middle School was still located on Park Avenue as a way to highlight what the students were doing in the Fine and Performing Arts. Gilmer noticed that there were ceremonies for sports and academics but nothing for those who excelled in the arts. So she developed the Fine Arts Night. Since March is Youth Art Month, holding the event in March just seemed right. Over the years they have done a variety of things to feature the student’s talents. The first year they had created skits, had a garage band, with a few vocal performances along with an art show. Now, the Fine Arts Night has grown to include the drama department, band and choir along with the art show. Mrs. Gilmer stated “This is the last “Official” Fine Arts Night. Art will still be displayed but change is good and it is time to look at alternative ways to showcase the many talents of my art students.” Mrs. Gilmer would like to thank the following for all their help: Mr. Don King, Mr. Theo Cebulla, and Mr. Joe Gaither In previous years she was assisted by Mr. Michael Kelly, Ms. Iva Walker, Mrs. Patricia Amor, Mrs. Bethany Brawley, Mrs. Jackie Lovelace, and Mr. Aaron Gilbert.
