Flint Hill School Jam-Packed with Art in April

Guest artist Ernest Ward came to Monday to lead a lucky group of students in nature journaling to kick off the schoolwide Art Jam festival.

In our digital age, he said, there is nothing more important than getting outside with a pencil and a few sheets of paper to observe and draw nature.

“Journaling enables you to unplug, to slow down, to observe more, to learn something new, to lose yourself in nature and maybe find yourself again, and to have fun,” Ward said.

Flint Hill's Arts Jam started 25 years ago as a single Saturday music jam session.  It has blossomed into a monthlong celebration of student artists, musicians, dancers and singers. 

“We’ve had a tremendous growth in our arts programming, and this is a way to highlight both the school’s and the students’ commitment to their craft,” said Dr. Tim Mitchell, the school's arts director. “Art happens all year long, but this is when we put our best foot forward.”

For Arts Jam, more than 750 pieces of art are displayed throughout the two campuses, and the school hosts a series of artist receptions, and drama and musical productions for the school and community. 

The culminating Arts Jam Spring Music and Dance Concert will be held April 20 at the George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall.

More than 130 upper school students from the awarding winning orchestra, choir, jazz ensemble and dance troupes will collaborate to perform a mixed repertoire including a 70s dance party, Esta Es El Tiempo and Pirates of the Caribbean.

During Arts Jam, students will participate in master classes and workshops led by visiting guest artists.

On Monday, puppeteers from the Black Cherry Puppet Theatre in Baltimore entertained Lower School students with their original rendition of “Billy Goats Gruff’kin .” 

Black Cherry’s marionettes are handcrafted, as are the sets, backdrops and props.  Music and scripts are composed in collaboration with other visual and performing artists.

After the show, puppeteer Michael Lamason explained the marrionette mechanics to a large student audience listening attentively.

“There are levers attached to the knees, pulleys for hands, a lever for the shoulders and head,” he said. “Most interesting to young audiences is this butt string which helps him bend over.” 

“Who did the voices?” asked one student.

“Who wrote the script?” asked another. 

"How do you hold the string?” calls another student.  “And is that hard?”

Well, the puppeteer tells the audience, “It’s like learning a musical instrument. It takes practice, practice, practice.”

The audience nodded and clapped.  

“I was only scared twice," said a student as he filed out of the theatre

Click here to view the Flint Hill School’s Art Jam 2011 schedule.  There are several events, including the George Mason University concert, that are free and open to the general public. Reservations may be required.