For close to 30 years, students attending Widdifield Secondary School in North Bay, have come together, letting their creative talents shine through.
Over the past two nights, Artsfest featured the work of over 200 students enrolled in dance, vocal, drama, music and fine arts classes.
Performance Arts teacher Jocelyn Bell-Summersby says the vast majority of the participants are full-time arts discipline students.
"Arts Nipissing is a specialized program allowing students to focus on their arts passion on a daily basis. Artsfest is an end of semester celebration of all the things that go on in performing and fine arts. It's a chance for all the students to showcase the success they've had throughout the semester," explains Bell-Summbersby.
"Some of them are a little sceptical when they start. They don't think they're actually going to get to the point where they're ready to perform on stage or display their artwork, and that sort of thing. So it's really a chance to honour the students and their successes."
Performing in front of a full house, this was Jami Bowman's first experience at Artsfest. The grade nine student is enrolled in Arts Nipissing, in the grade 9 to 12 vocal class.
"It's been great. I've been blown away by the talent Widdifield has. It's amazing. I'm so happy to say I go to school with all these wonderful people," said Bowman.
"I've definitely grown more confident and more proud of myself and what I can do, and not only just performing. I've definitely become a stronger singer, and a better person because of what we learn in class."
As Jami's Artsfest experience begins, it is winding down for grade 12 dance student, Angelina Stone.
"From grade 9 to grade 12, you see growth as a performer, as a person. After being part of the program for the past four years, I've personally found I'm much more organized than I was in grade 9, and I have a much better outlook on group activities," said Stone.
"I've learned a lot about teamwork, and how working together makes an incredible difference. I've always thought of myself as a leader but I never had the opportunity to take on any role as one. But being in grade 11 and 12 in a classroom full of a lot of performers at various levels, I've found myself acting as a follower and a leader, and they're both very rewarding."
Vicki Lamorie sat proudly in the audience, watching her grade 11 daughter perform on stage. The teen took vocal classes, before moving on to dance.
"I love that she is part of the little community they have here. It is exciting for them, and fun to watch. I've seen her confidence grow over the years, and her group of friends has grown, she has a variety of friends now."
Included in the evening was a gallery displaying work by students.
Samara Paleczny teaches Visual Arts.
"The visual arts department includes media, and film, visual artists and integrated artists which is part media, new media and part fine or traditional media," said Paleczny.
"When they finish the semester, they are full of new ideas. They are exposed to critical and creative thinking. They're excited about art, they're open to a whole new world that they may not have been exposed to in grade eight. There are so many areas for creative growth and maturing as artists. Whether or not they go on into art, they're learning to appreciate and enjoy art and enjoy the place that art has in their lives."
Bell-Summersby says peer support goes a long way.
"You get them coming together to boost each other up and give each other confidence. A teacher can only push so far, a parent can only remind so much. But once they get their peers on their side, and know they are on their side, whether they make a mistake or do the best they've ever done in their lives, their friends will be there for them no matter what."
In its nearly three decades, many students have turned their passion into a career.
"We have Jamie Spilchuk who has gone on to work in commercials and on Hard Rock Medical. We have graduates who have gone on to work professionally backstage. One is working on the musical Come From Away in Toronto right now. Another has worked in Stratford and another on Disney Cruise ships. There have been so many more over the years," said Bell-Summersby.
"They're either on stage, backstage. And of course, we have our fine arts students who have gone through. They are showcasing their work in Toronto, they're building the fashion industry. There's really an endless supply of talent that comes out of the Arts Nipissing program."
