“We’ll have fun … even if no one else does!,” said Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld, teaching artist through the Ohio Arts Council. Chenfeld, an acclaimed creative writer, author and multidisciplinary artist and dancer, served as a resident artist with Highland Middle School during the 2023-2024 school year through a TeachArtsOhio grant that was awarded through the Ohio Arts Council.
Highland Middle School’s “Hanging Out With the Queen of Fun” was made possible in part by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
“Highland Middle School worked with the Ohio Arts Council to support our literacy initiative while simultaneously supporting the arts programs. This project incorporated creative writing with student movement, music, and artistic expression to encourage creativity while reinforcing vocabulary and building background knowledge,” said Matthew Bradley, Highland Middle School principal. “This resident artist’s work allowed Highland to support students by exposing teachers to new ways that students can access learning, improve their writing skills, and gain confidence to participate in a form of self-expression.”
Students worked with Chenfeld in sessions that included movement, dance, music, and brainstorming ideas together to encourage personal expression and connection with the content and writing prompts. After which, the students completed follow-up activities in their language arts and art classes to create poetry or short stories to be illustrated with artwork. These finished pieces will be on display at Highland’s Arts Spectacular later in April.
The Highland Arts Spectacular is a celebration of the arts, including visual art displays, musical performances, and a craft show. The Arts Spectacular will be held at Highland High School, 1300 State Route 314, Marengo, on Saturday, April 20. The doors will open at 1 p.m., and musical performances will take place throughout the day until 7 p.m. The art and music department teachers are excited to showcase student work and talent to the public.
Highland Local Schools is located in southern Morrow County and serves the towns of Sparta, Marengo and Chesterville. The schools are the foundation of the community as school-sponsored events are well-supported by parents, students, alumni, teachers and staff. The goal of developing well-rounded students in a safe and caring environment where every student is known and valued is shared by all.
Submitted by Jenny Pennell.
