ST. PAUL – On April 22, St. Paul & District Arts Foundation held its annual year-end performance, the Festival of the Arts, at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre. The festival featured the works of students of all ages, skill levels, and creative disciplines from the past year of programming.
The festival was a celebration of the arts in the community, showcasing the diverse talents of the St. Paul & District Arts Foundation's students, according to information from the foundation. From hip-hop, to ballet, to theatre, along with visual art such as paintings, the festival highlighted a breadth of creative expression.
Following the event, instructors Stephanie Wentland and Lynda Young expressed pride in watching their students grow over the past year.
Wentland, in her first year of teaching ballet, said, “My students have worked so hard... I'm so happy to see how much responsibility my kids had in order to get everything together in time for today.” Students started preparing for the show in January.
Despite being faced with some challenges, “they have buckled down... focused, and we worked through absolutely everything together.”
Young echoed Wentland's sentiments, and also spoke about the importance of helping youth develop as artists and performers.
For example, theatre students worked to develop their characters and storylines, blending them into a “musical style” theatrical performance.
“The students are wonderful,” said Young. “It's a really wonderful program for students to develop their talents.”
Valerie Pratch, member of the foundation’s board and long-time volunteer, thanked all who came out in support of the foundation, and particularly the performers.
“We’re so grateful that the parents came out to support the programs that their children are in,” said Pratch.
She also spoke of up-and-coming plans for the foundation, including initiating a new program in May. She said the program will be a woman’s vocal ensemble, with a twist of the “70s and 80s.”
The foundation will also be celebrating its 10th year starting in June, which Pratch described as a “milestone” for the organization.
The foundation is already gearing up to prepare for other annual events like the Nutcracker, which will be celebrating its 10th year in December, as well as next year’s the Festival of Arts.
