The event is free and open to the public, and will feature live performances from students and professionals, an ELA-12 art exhibition, creation stations, festival food and more. Guests are invited to actively make, sit back and relax, and take in the sounds, sights and smells of the fall favorite.
"Fall for the Arts is a chance for the mission of our arts programs to become real and present in the moment," said Kim Tunnell, director of fine arts. "We are offering students exposure to art, allowing them to experience it and to try using it to express their own style, thoughts and emotions."
Stations will be set up throughout for participants to create, doing paper-weaving, button-making, face-painting, a photo booth, pumpkin painting, pottery and other crafts. Participation in all art-based activities is free, with exception to a minimal cost ($2) for pottery.
Attendees are encouraged to stick around the event for a chance at winning fun door prizes that will be given away periodically throughout the afternoon.
Among the educational components planned are performances by a theater troupe from Shorter University and a puppeteer who will present to the younger students during the regular school day and at the festival.
“This year we are incorporating more cultural experiences, especially for the morning activities at both the Upper School and ELA-8 divisions,” said Tunnell. “These opportunities will connect with our global studies program and the interdisciplinary approach that many teachers are using in their classrooms.”
New to the festival is the addition of local artisans and crafters who will be on-site showing and selling their original work. Most vendors will take cash, check and credit cards for payment.
Cotton candy, popcorn, drinks, treats from Kaleido-Sno, and baked goods from a cake walk and bake sale will also be available for purchase at the event.
Helping to tie it in with homecoming festivities during Alumni Weekend, attendees will enjoy hearing live musical performances from Bryan Mullins ('95) and Manning Burns ('07). All alumni interested in showcasing their artistic talents in the school-wide art exhibition are invited to contact the Fine Arts Department.
Event T-shirts designed by Mary Anna Fricks ('18) are available for purchase in short sleeve ($10) and long sleeve ($12) through Monday, Oct. 12. Prepaid armbands for food items and the pottery station are available for $5 and $10 through Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Click here to order Fall for the Arts T-shirts and/or armbands.
The festival's official poster was also student-designed, created especially for the event by Sara Bailey Yoder ('17).
“Fall for the Arts allows us to celebrate the student artists at Darlington who create every day in the classroom or on the stage,” added Tunnell.
Following the Darlington Celebration to honor Distinguished Alumni in Morris Chapel at 11 a.m., students are invited to change into spirit wear for the festival in preparation of the evening’s homecoming football game.
Free parking will be available in the Huffman Athletic Center and Trippeer parking lots, as well as in the gravel lot adjacent to the baseball field.
Fall for the Arts is sponsored by the Darlington Fine Arts Booster Club. All proceeds help cover the cost of the event. For additional information about the fall festival, including volunteer opportunities, visit the announcements tab at www.darlingtonschool.org or email finearts@darlingtonschool.org.
Click here to read a blog about ways you can get involved in Fall for the Arts 2015.
Click here to view a blog about the eight things you will not want to miss during Alumni Weekend, including Fall for the Arts (#4).
Click here to see photos from last year’s event.
