Idyllwild Arts Academy & Summer Program announces its Spring 2019 off-site student performances in the Coachella Valley.
On April 17, the student showcase will be held at the Rancho Mirage Library, featuring an evening of dance, music, theatre, fashion and creative writing followed by a visual arts reception at the new Melissa Morgan Fine Art Gallery in Palm Desert on April 18.
Both events will feature the year’s best work from students of Idyllwild Arts Academy, the pioneering arts high school that has been changing lives through the transformative power of art for more than 70 years. Located on a 205-acre campus in the San Jacinto Mountains, the school was recently voted the No. 1 High School for Arts in America and attracts young artists from more than 30 countries.
“Our annual Idyllwild Arts Academy & Summer Program showcases are an important opportunity for the students to present in professional venues and experience the overwhelmingly positive audience responses to their work.” said Pamela Jordan, president and head of school of Idyllwild Arts Academy & Summer Program. “For the larger community and family of Idyllwild Arts supporters, it’s an opportunity to witness firsthand the often-breathtaking talent of these students. I look forward to it every year.”
2019 Student Showcase
Rancho Mirage Library
71-100 Highway 111
7-8 p.m., April 17
The event will represent the work of 25 students across all seven disciplines of the Idyllwild Arts Academy, including music, theater, dance, creative writing, film, spoken word poetry and an upcycled fashion show. The showcase is produced and directed by Idyllwild Arts dance instructor Jonathan Sharp and will be made up of the best proposed works by the heads of each department. The event is free and open to the public.
Visual Arts Reception
Melissa Morgan Gallery
73660 El Paseo, Palm Desert
5-9 p.m., April 18
One of the first shows at the new space, the exhibition was curated by Visual Arts Chair David Reid-Marr and features works selected from 32 artists in a variety of mediums, including painting, ceramics, mixed-media, sculpture, drawing, photography and printmaking.
Pieces selected for this exhibition were chosen from a wide range of grade levels and disciplines. This unique opportunity will expose many of the students to the world of live contemporary art for the first time.
Live jazz will be played throughout the evening, and the students will each introduce their work. The exhibition will run through April 21.
For information, visit idyllwildarts.com.