2013 Youth Arts Festival: “We practiced that, like, a million times!”

More than 150 people came out to the Youth Arts Festival on Saturday, May 11, to support the young artists from the Creative Action After School programs. The audience enjoyed performances on stage and screen as well as saw works of arts from sculpture to set designs, paintings and photography.

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“The Youth Arts Festival is always such a stunning event,” says Karen LaShelle, executive and artistic director of Creative Action. “The work these students create is incredible. We’re very proud of them and our teaching artists who led them on this journey.”

Most of the students from these particular after-school programs are from Title 1 schools, deemed so because most of the students at those schools are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

“Many of these students would not have other opportunities to learn about the arts or be able to create works of art on this scale without Creative Action,” says LaShelle. “So donors and funders should be especially proud. They helped make this happen.”

The event opened with a stage performances by Del Valle Middle School, Cedar Creek High School, Lamar Middle School and a rap written and performed by a member of the New Stages Youth Theatre Ensemble. The Del Valle Middle School students wrapped up that section of the festival with an ensemble piece titled “Homework Homies.”

Guests were then invite to the Artists Pavilion for snacks from Food for Lovers and music from DJ Encuento.

The audience then gathered in the Screening Room for films written, performed and produced by students from Cedar Creek, New Stages, Lamar, Del Valle and Ojeda Middle School.

Ojeda’s film featured stop-motion photography with voice overs titled “Where I Am From,” a short but moving piece that offers a glimpse into the daily lives of middle school students from that school. Click below to watch.

We invite you to support the ongoing work of students from these schools. Your donations can help us extend our After School and Youth Ensembles to more needy Central Texas children and young people. Donate now!