STARKVILLE — About 250 people bought their tickets and showed up for an evening of art and drama in Starkville, courtesy of a talented group of junior high students at Armstrong Middle School.
Cafe de L” Art was the production of the VIVA — Verbal Innovation and Visual Arts — Art, VIVA Drama and Select Chorus programs at Armstrong. The evening, hosted at the Greensboro Center, included five dramas, chorus performances, violinists, stop motion animation, art displays, a silent auction and miniature set design displays.
“The main thing we want is for people to come to something like this and be blown away by what kids at this age are capable of doing,” said Kathi Hester, a VIVA Art teacher at Armstrong.
While parents and family members made up a large portion of the crowd, others came for the entertainment and cultural experience. Charles and Carol Campbell bought tickets to the event from a youngster in the neighborhood. Their now-grown sons participated in the Starkville School District”s gifted programs during their educational years.
“I have a bit of a bias,” Carol Campbell said after she and her husband examined the works of art on display Thursday night.
Nick Elder, 14, is an eighth-grader in his third year in VIVA Art. He had several pieces on display, including a still life of fruit and a batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique.
“Regular education gives you a foundation. VIVA lets you explore,” Nick said. “In VIVA, you”re exploring and experiencing; you”re not as much developing a skill as honing it.”
Tickets for the event were $5 each, and visitors had the chance to bid on select works of art sold via silent auction. Hester said the money raised will go toward the VIVA Art and Drama programs. She described the VIVA programs as “an extension of the gifted program for the gifted in the visual and performing arts.”
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Related Photos
Artwork on display at Cafe’ de L’ Art, the VIVA Art and VIVA Drama celebration held Thursday night at the Greensboro Center. Photo by: Bonnie Coblentz
Hannah Laird, 12, a seventh-grader at Armstrong Middle School, examines one of the miniature set designs at Cafe’ de L’ Art. Photo by: Bonnie Coblentz
