In a high school as culturally diverse as Franklin, many different artistic representations should be expected at its annual art fair, and on May 7, that is what happened. Both student and adult performers and vendors were on hand to create a day-long event of artistic fun for the community.
Selling a variety of plants grown inside the school's greenhouse as part of the National Honor Society Club, Franklin senior Margareth Tran summed up the Arts Fair as, "bringing the community together to share the culture that's in Franklin."
Outside the main entrance where the fair began, a barbecue burned hot, a group of adult musicians were strumming Beatles tunes, a vendor was making custom T-shirts and ceramic artist Pat Epsey was selling her vases and kitchenware. Although she is not a graduate of the high school herself, Epsey and many other adult vendors took part in the fair. Epsey was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the kids and said she enjoyed the fair.
"Although I am here selling my ceramics, this is also a very big kid thing, and it has a lot of spirit and the kids are having a great time," Epsey said.
Coordinator Ina Howell, business and technology chair at Franklin, made her rounds, and at one point guided the Mariachi band from West Seattle's Chief Sealth High School into the main performance room. Later, as students from Howell's DECA Club sold smoothies and snacks all day in the student store, pupils from Franklin's FAME drama company put on a teaser for their production of "Grease."
Other performances included Franklin's renowned jazz band, Orca Elementary School students acting out skits addressing school racism and discrimination, Jennifer Wiley's steel drum band, and a closing fashion show.
"I am always very heartened to see students work hard at something and publicly display it - especially when they have to invest their hearts," Wiley stated. "Working as a team, making yourself vulnerable to the public and representing yourself, family, school and community in positive ways is always inspirational. It is these kinds of school experiences that you remember for a lifetime."
Soaking in the atmosphere was Franklin alumnus Danny Welsh. While Welsh took everything in the alto and soprano saxophonist added sweet, smooth-jazz melodies at the end of a hallway. A 1979 graduate of Franklin, Welsh enjoyed playing at the fair.
According to one of Franklin's drawing, painting and ceramics instructors, Carol Martenson, the annual fair was initially created to raise money to buy supplies for the art department. Since then, it has become something she deems more important.
"This fair features a lovely collection of presentations from cultures from many different countries," Martenson said as she pointed to a painting and drawing display featuring student art, she said, "It gives the students an opportunity to exhibit their work and to have an audience. So often teenagers are not given the esteem which they're due. They have amazing energy, amazing skills and amazing talent. And they need to be applauded for the things that they do."
Martenson said that one of the ways art is important is that it gives kids a more positive way to be noticed than getting into trouble.
"This is a great way for kids to get attention as opposed to what you see on TV where you give a kid a gun," Martenson asserted.
First year art teacher John Dunkerley said he is amazed at the rich cultural diversity at Franklin.
"We have kids from South East Asia and they bring their own cultural heritage, their own talents and their own way of looking at the world that I could never teach them," Dunkerley said. "I just try to get them to focus and create something from what they already know. Also I don't have to do much inspiring for them. I get them focused on a project, but they got a lot of ideas and I just try to focus their ideas. It's really cool to have that."
Both Martenson and Wiley have an optimistic outlook for the future of art education at Franklin and don't believe the department has been hampered by new state graduation requirements that stress academic studies including the Washington Assessment of Student Learning test, the WASL.
"I believe a hybrid of solid academics and intense arts exposure is wonderful preparation for any career or post secondary experience a student wishes to pursue," Wiley asserted. "Pitting academics against arts is a false dichotomy and serves no good purpose."
Martenson thoroughly agreed.
"The art requirements for students remains the same," Martenson stated. "And my perception of the arts and the curriculum is that art is still very important and you can see that by attending the fair. There are many teachers in the academic areas that use art as a way to acquire knowledge. I believe, particularly here at Franklin, that emphasis remains."
Brian Kidd may be reached at editor@sdistrictjournal.com[[In-content Ad]]
