The artistic talents of four Wheeling Park High School students have resulted in an exciting opportunity for these exceptional sophomores.
Patriot students Melody Campbell, Taylor Andrews, Julia Kelly and Audrey Bennett have been selected to attend this year’s Governor’s School of the Arts that will be held June 26-July 16 at Marshall University. The GSA is a three-week residential program providing individual and in-depth group instruction in the arts for current high school sophomores living in and attending school in West Virginia. Artistic areas addressed are acting, creative writing, dance, instrumental music, studio art and vocal music.
Campbell, Andrews and Kelly were selected to take part in the acting category. Bennett plays the violin, and she was chosen for the instrumental music category.
Each of the Wheeling Park students said they were excited for GSA because they look forward to interacting with students from throughout West Virginia. They also said they look forward to getting a sense of what college life will be like over the course of three weeks at Marshall University. Most importantly, the students said they will learn a lot, and they are proud to represent Wheeling Park High School at a statewide event.
GSA Dean Maribea Barnes said sophomores are excited to the highly-respected Governor's School for the Arts. After postponing the residential immersion in the arts in 2020, and having an abbreviated, hybrid experience in 2021, the West Virginia Department of Education and Marshall University are moving full steam ahead with plans for three weeks of live in-person instruction this year.
"The theme for GSA 2022 is Building Community Through the Arts,” Barnes said. “Living in a community of artists provides unique opportunities for personal and artistic growth along with diverse opportunities for collaboration. The GSA mission is to enable students to explore multiple art forms, learn from one another, and experience first-hand the power of the arts. "
An emphasis will be placed on collaborating and sharing our work within our GSA community. The inclusion of regional guest artists and interactions with works beyond our Appalachian area will provide unique opportunities to grow as artists. Our goals are to develop stronger artists, empower students with collaborative skills, and introduce students to strategies that employ the arts to positively influence communities.
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