Each year Southside Elementary School (K-5) in Sarasota holds a "Celebrate Learning Day" to introduce their 700 students to artistic opportunities and venues here in Sarasota.
Thursday's celebration included ballerinas, circus performers, artists, actors and film makers who shared their expertise and craft through hands-on activities.
Denise Kowal from the Sarasota Chalk Festival passed out colored chalk to eager young artists who then created individual works of art on the blacktop. Ballerina's from the Sarasota Ballet performed on stage and then taught the students a modern dance sequence. The Sailor Circus performed and then invited students to try on costumes. Many students attempted to ride the unicycles and walk on balance beams. Ringling College of Art + Design offered splatter painting and the Sarasota Film Festival showed animated films. The Florida Studio Theatre organized a flash mob performance.
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Even though the skies threatened to burst with rain at any second, every half hour the Southside PTA, parent volunteers, and teachers effortlessly shepherded 700 students through this maze of visual and performing artsists.
Kudos go to Southiside for promoting the arts to its young students.
