Home Lifestyle Arts Alive shines spotlight on Richmond County students’ creativity

Arts Alive shines spotlight on Richmond County students’ creativity

Artwork from students across Richmond County is displayed in the lobby of Cole Auditorium March 14 for the three-day Arts Alive event. See more photos below. Photos by William R. Toler - Richmond Observer

HAMLET — The creative talents of students from the Richmond County Schools district were on display this week at Cole Auditorium.

Artwork from students in a variety of mediums — including paintings, drawings and sculptures — filled the lobby of the Cole, while the auditorium hosted several musical performances.

“It just kinda highlights everything with the arts,” Angela Gallagher, director of program improvements, said about the annual event. “It’s been great because it has brought so many students and families together.”

Wednesday evening featured “Make And Take” activities, where the local art instructors had stations set up for students to create a piece of work and take it home.

“It was so high energy,” Gallagher said, “the kids loved it, the parents loved it, so it was a great success.”

The middle and high school bands performed on Tuesday and the various choruses took the stage Thursday night.

Gallagher said the students in the respective music groups didn’t get to practice together until the day of the concerts.

By having the clinicians and accompanists come in, Gallagher said, “It gives the students that real life experience for what they could do beyond school.”

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“The student energy is so high, it’s just a really fun experience for them to highlight what they want to do,” Gallagher said.

The All-County Middle School Chorus, with accompaniment by Claire Fields, was directed by Luke Hancock, who serves as the choral director of New Bern High School in Craven County.

UNC-Pembroke professor Dr. Jose Rivera led the Richmond Senior High School Chamber Singers and Raider Voices — who were joined by the county’s music teachers — with John Patrick Hutchinson on Piano.

The final performance was from the All-County Middle School Chorus, under the direction of Julia M. McCallum, music education program coordinator at Winthrop University, accompanied by Kate Layton on piano.

The final song, “Go Now In Peace,” featured voices from all the groups.

See photos from Thursday evening below.

Note: This story has been edited to correct the day of the performances. 10:48 p.m. 3-14-24



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Managing Editor William R. Toler is an award-winning writer and photographer with experience in print, television and online media.