Page 15 - KolHakavod_2019

THE ARTS THE ARTS

The JKHA art studio buzzed with creativity as students had the opportunity to study a RKYHS inaugurated a new program, “The Month of the Arts,” to crystallize all of the benefits of creative expression and to celebrate the arts. Over the course of the “Month of the
variety of artists and work with a number of different media. Beginning in Pre-K through Arts,” students studied poetry, created and performed their own original poems, performed incredible productions of Beauty and the Beast, enjoyed jazz music by Israeli students from
fifth grade, students studied nine different artists including Pablo Picasso, Georges Seur- Kinor David (an Israeli Yeshiva high school dedicated to cultivating musical talent), created wearable art in the manner of Jackson Pollock, attended a production of Marriage of Figaro
at, and Piet Mondrian as they explored line, color, shapes, still life, texture through in Lincoln Center, and enjoyed a classical music performance at Carnegie Hall, to name just a few of the varied events.
watercolors, pointillism, and more. Eighth graders took part in art appreciation and studio art
classes, and an open art studio was available to all sixth through eighth graders during lunch The RKYHS art curriculum spans all four years
time. and allows students to expand their knowledge
of art as well as develop and nurture their skills.
Art classes for ninth and tenth graders incorpo-
rate art history as well as techniques. Eleventh
and twelfth graders can opt for an elective stu-
dio art class that meets daily and allows them to

The first grade had fine tune their skills. They learn how to critique
the opportunity to themselves and each other to improve their art
visit the Paper Mill work. The advanced studio art class allows for
more intensive studio time where students are
Playhouse for a showing immersed in the study of art. Open studio time
of the performance “Dragons The RKYHS student-led Battle of the Bands competition drew close was offered this past school year during lunch
Love Tacos” based on the to 500 attendees. The entirely student-run event featured bands from where students had the opportunity to work on
book of the same name. RKYHS and from many other yeshivot in the tri-state area competing a current or new project, work for other classes,
for the top spot. The event was a fundraiser for Save a Child’s Heart, or just their own personal skills, in a relaxed set-
an organization that provides pediatric cardiac care for children in de-
veloping countries. The bands practiced for months to prepare for the ting. RKYHS is excited to add ceramics to its Arts
big stage and performed two songs for the crowd of peers and other Program in the coming year.
Throughout the year, the JKHA and RKYHS attendees. The RKYHS student committee also worked for months to
choirs had the opportunity to perform at plan and prepare for the large-scale event. The entire tenth grade visited the Grounds for
school and community events. Under expert Sculpture as part of the curriculum in the Intro-
direction, the students in both choirs practice duction to Art II class. The students studied the
constantly throughout the year to build on style of Seward Johnson and they were able to
The students in fourth grade took their first-ever Studio their choral skills and techniques in addition recognize his pieces from afar, and appreciate
Art field trip to the New York Botanical Garden to see the to rehearsing for performances. his works in person. A scavenger hunt increased
CHIHULY installation. As an extension of the fourth grade the students’ engagement with the art.
units on both shape and color, students were introduced to
the art of glass-blowing and to large scale installation works
made completely out of glass.
The JKHA Drama Club lit up the stage with
their performance of Annie. The students
involved grew their drama and performance
skills and techniques as well as developed RKYHS hosted ten other day schools for the eighth annual Rikudiah,
their stage presence. an inter-yeshiva high school girls’ dance competition, and tzedakah
fundraiser. The competition gives students interested in dance the
opportunity to produce something of their own while also developing
their talents in a meaningful setting. All teams presented beautifully,
with amazing talent, creative themes, and complex choreography. The
RKYHS team impressed the professional judges with their lively and
Nursery 3 was introduced to an Art Appreciation Unit encour- technically complex program, taking home the second place trophy.
aging exploration, self-expression, imagination and creativ-
ity. Art exposure helps develop visual literacy, a pre-reading
skill, and grants each child the opportunity to express their The auditorium was filled with hundreds The young women of RKYHS were
thoughts and listen to others. The N-3 students worked of people for the RKYHS Drama Club’s able to find their voice and shine on
on their fine and gross motor development using various performance of Beauty and the Beast. The stage at Koleinu, an all-female per- RKYHS student artwork was exhibited publicly throughout the area in the 2017-18 school year
media as they studied each artist. They drew their own still cast of students displayed their onstage formance night. The acts showcased including the Essex County Courthouse at the Hall of Records in honor of NJ Youth Art Month,
life pictures like Paul Cézanne, painted their own masterpieces skills, while others worked behind the students’ varied talents in a warm and NJPAC, the Livingston Public Library, and two students won second prize for the high school
by working upside-down like Michelangelo, splatter painted scenes on set design and stage manage- celebratory environment, including division in the national art contest sponsored by RZA (Religious Zionists of America).
like Jackson Pollock, and created collages like Henri Matisse. ment. tap dancing, figure skating, tumbling,
and vocal performances, often joined
14 by a friend’s musical accompaniment. 15