The Lynwood High School campus recently transformed into an artists’ paradise, where musicians performed, singers crooned, dancers strutted and thespians took to the stage.
Lynwood Unified, along with the visual and performing arts (VAPA) programs at Firebaugh and Lynwood high schools and the City of Lynwood, hosted the first-ever Lynwood Festival of the Arts on Saturday, May 10, showcasing the array of artistic talent that dwells within the city.
“I think it's great to see our community come together in such a collaborative way that supports our students and taps into everyone's inner artists,” LUSD Board of Education President Briseida Gonzalez said. “I want to thank everyone involved for doing such an amazing job at planning what we hope will be an annual event in Lynwood.”
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Spearheaded by Lynwood High School VAPA teacher Luis Vega and Ilu Johnson, who works closely with seniors in the City of Lynwood, the day-long event included everything artistic and musical from the Lynwood senior health and fitness dance group and art galleries, to live percussion bands and puppet making workshops.
“This festival turned out to be a fantastic and fun event for us as a District and as a city in our efforts to bring awareness, appreciation and exposure to the arts in Lynwood,” Vega said. “We know that there are lots of Lynwood residents who are dancing, singing, drawing and painting, demonstrating what a strong arts culture we have here. We only hope to make the festival bigger and better next year.”
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Various events were taking place throughout the school campus, including the library, gymnasium, performing arts center and quad, where an outside stage, booths and chalk walk were set up.
There were several student dance performances, a theater production, and live abstract, jazz and Afro-Latin bands, as well as interactive workshops on spray painting, making postcard and bowties, and dance. Funds raised from the event will go toward clubs at the high schools.
“Mr. Vega has done a great job of taking a proactive approach to ensure the arts are at the forefront of our District and that the work of our talented students is exposed,” said LUSD Superintendent Paul Gothold. “It was a great showing of community spirit and I want to thank those who attended for their support of our students and families as they explore innovation and imagination.”
