BMHS Fine Arts Day goes online
KERNERSVILLE — The COVID-19 pandemic prompted many traditional end-of-school year events to go online this year, including Bishop McGuinness High School’s 15th annual Fine Arts Day.
Students involved in art, computer science, drama and music programs at the school showcased their work in “Picking up the Pieces,” a virtual exhibit accessed online through a special website.
“When the theme was chosen back in the fall, the committee was thinking of our work with the Center for Creative Leadership, and our Bishop Leads initiative,” said Dr. Alan Hirsch, Bishop McGuinness’ music teacher and one of the organizers who helped post the content to the website.
“There was a specific activity where we had to actually pick up pieces and put them together to get to our goal. Now the theme has taken on such a different meaning, a deeper meaning…we are all working together to pick up the pieces of our lives, our school, due to circumstances beyond our control,” he said.
Principal Tracy Shaw noted that, at first, students “were disappointed that Fine Arts Day was not going to be able to happen in the traditional sense, but once they began working on it, they were able to get even more creative with their projects. They ended up really enjoying the process and the final project.”
BMHS junior Jack Foley said, “Missing out on Fine Arts Day was definitely one of the biggest disappointments when school got canceled, but the virtual Fine Arts Day honestly made up for it.
“It was incredible seeing the videos I made for guitar ensemble and orchestra come together, and Dr. Hirsh did a phenomenal job editing all the audio. All of the art projects and cooking videos were super fun as well, so the virtual Fine Arts Day definitely made up for not being able to do it in person.”
“In essence, the virtual format brought us closer together,” Shaw said. “Each song, piece of art, piece of writing, took on more meaning. Unlike other years when we were able to participate face to face, we were able to revisit the site over and over, and enjoy the performances as many times as we wanted to.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
