Visual Arts and Theater

Deb Reed

 

CURRENT FINE ARTS PROGRAM AT HCHS

 

       The Fine Arts program currently consists of Visual Arts and Theatre.  The Visual Arts and Theatre program at HCHS is relatively young, having began in the 1992-1993 school year, at the behest of the Better Education Program implemented by then Governor Ned Ray McWherter.  Since that time the major source of funding for the arts program at HCHS comes from the B.E.P. funds, donations AND the diligent fundraising efforts of the Fine Arts Students.  They have done everything from selling posters & candles to having booths at local Arts and Crafts Fairs to supplement the program and enable them to obtain the materials necessary to create their art work or to design and produce various Theatrical presentations throughout the school year.  The Fine Arts Department desperately needed an influx of funding for the 80 to 90 students that come through its doors each Semester.  Students must have 2 Credits of Fine Arts for an Honors diploma and entrance into a University Program.  Fine Arts are also taken for an elective status to supplement the general education process. 

       The Fine Arts Club found the best fundraiser for the entire department when they took over the prestigious Hancock County Woman’s Club Community Calendar project.  The ladies of the Woman’s Club gave this activity up in 2003, having done the Calendar a grand total of 29 years!  The Fine Arts Club began doing the Calendar from January to January but found that through fundraising conflicts, that it could better get Ads from local businesses if we go from April to April.  Thus the Calendar will be for the years 2006-2007.  If anyone wants a Community Calendar, please call 423-733-4611, Ext. 300.

       The Visual Arts Classes are currently working on a Papier Mache’ project of animals and will be finishing up next week for a Spring Entry into the Rose Center Art Competition with surrounding High Schools.  Student, Anna Claire Rogers has been entered in the Congressional Art Competition due to have a reception with Governor Bredesen’s wife, the First Lady of Tennessee at the Carroll Reece Museum on the East Tennessee State University Campus, Tuesday, February 21 from 6pm until 8pm.  The Theatre Class will be going by the Reception before taking a field trip to Abingdon Virginia’s Historic Barter Theatre for a presentation of the fantastic Broadway play, Greater Tuna. 

       The Theatre and Visual Arts Classes will be performing a parody of NBC’s Saturday Night Live during the month of April, as yet unscheduled.  That will be posted.  It will be in the format of that company and we are calling ours Friday Night Live!  It will be a talent show in between acts by the Fine Arts Students with three judges for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in two divisions of High School & Adult and Elementary Age Students.  The winners will be awarded Fine Arts Trophies for 2006 and get their photos in the 2007 Yearbook.  Entry will be a nonrefundable $10.00 per act.  Acts cannot be over 10 minutes long.  More information call 423-733-4611 Ext. 300.