ArtSpark Day brought together Chautauqua Lake students and staff along with professional artists from across Chautauqua County, including local performing and visual artists who led hands-on workshops, held live performances, and had reflective sessions, all grounded in the belief that the arts are essential to student growth, expression, and connection.

ArtSpark was created by Chautauqua Lake Principal Rachel Curtin and teacher Adam Gollwitzer, with support from Jamestown Public Schools and Chautauqua Institution, as part of their Kennedy Center Partners in Education program. All three entities share a commitment to expanding meaningful, accessible arts education opportunities for students.

“We created ArtSpark because we believe creativity matters, not because every product is a masterpiece, but because the process is at the heart of being human,” Curtin said. “It’s how we find purpose, direction, and connection. For teenagers, especially, it’s so important to experience this process as a creator, and not just a media scroller, and to feel rooted in a community that values creativity. Ultimately, we wanted our students to see that they are surrounded by people in Chautauqua County who believe in them and want them to create boldly.”

The event included activities such as Jamestown artist Sally Burns Grice, who introduced students in grades nine through 12 to expressive watercolor painting, while Sarah Brown-Millspaw, a local Mayville artist, led middle school students through a repeat-pattern design project using printmaking techniques and color theory. Poet and rapper Janna Willoughby-Lohr offered eco-conscious paper craft workshops, using recycled materials to create floral designs while discussing sustainability and creativity. Janine Chimera led a meditative sound journey featuring Native American-style flutes and singing bowls.

Part of the activities for students during Chautauqua Lake’s first ever ArtSpark Day was learning African drumming. Submitted photo

Other movement and performance-based sessions were held across Chautauqua Lake’s campus. Mary Schnepf, artistic director of the Greater Niagara Ballet Company, led jazz choreography workshops that helped students build confidence through rhythm and movement. Dr. Tiffany Nicely and the SUNY Fredonia Percussion Ensemble led students in West African drumming, using polyrhythmic layering and movement to teach rhythm in a fully embodied way. Actor Stephen Stout introduced students to physical storytelling through expressive movement and character work, while teaching artist and improv comedian Jane Fischer led fast-paced, collaborative improvisation games that helped students take creative risks and trust their instincts.

“Seeing local artists inviting local students to engage in their art, their area of expertise, was stirring,” Gollwitzer said. “We have so much talent in our county. Sharing that talent with the succeeding generations is important to the continuity of an arts-rich culture in the Chautauqua region. Learning directly from the artists is an ideal opportunity for the students.”

Live performances by students from SUNY Fredonia added another dimension to the day. The college’s Orchesis Dance Company, a student-led ensemble, performed a diverse range of pieces from jazz to modern, using movement to tell powerful stories. Local Americana band Plymouth Knob performed a full concert set, giving students from Kindergarten to Seniors the feel of a real-world college music experience.

“It was really cool to see local artists come in and work with students of all different experience levels,” Chautauqua Lake seventh grader Evelyn Ryan said. “It made everything feel more connected to our community. I’d love to see ArtSpark become a full school day experience next year, there’s just so much more to explore.”

Multiple Chautauqua Lake teachers said ArtSpark Day was a great experience for their students, and one that the teachers saw have a big effect on their students as well.

Chautauqua Lake students learn from local actor Stephen Stout during ArtSpark Day. Submitted photo

“It was amazing to watch as the students, who initially entered full of energy, gradually became more relaxed and still,” Chautauqua Lake Teacher Kaitlin Denny said. “The calming sounds seemed to have a profound effect, especially on those eighth graders who came in with that extra energy before Spring Break. It was a great opportunity for them to experience stillness in such a peaceful way.”

Other teachers reported similar experiences, including that some of the activities students engaged in took away any possible self-consciousness that they might have felt. Art teacher Holly Meyer said the experience helped reinforce her belief in the power of art.

“ArtSpark Day was impressive and deeply moving,” Meyer said. “Watching my seventh graders shine, engaging fearlessly in African drumming and participating in a sound bath without a hint of self-consciousness, reinforced my belief that art is fundamental in helping students build confidence, connect with themselves and others, and fully engage in the world around them.”

Another Chautauqua Lake teacher, Sarah Burnett said using the ArtSpark Day to teach Chautauqua Lake students about art and artistic expression was very rewarding to see. She was able to participate in some events herself as well.

“I found ArtSpark Day to be incredibly inspiring and meaningful,” Burnett said. “Celebrating artistic expression in such a wide variety of ways was uplifting and rewarding. Being able to participate myself was wonderful, but observing my middle school students engage in everything from Scottish bagpipes and African drums to a sound bath and a live dance performance was truly remarkable. The day fostered a sense of connection and reinforced the importance of art and music for all. I’m already looking forward to next year.”

Students were also able to watch performances from SUNY Fredonia’s Orchesis. Submitted photo

Superintendent Josh Liddell said that the overall event reflected on the school’s partnerships with local institutions and that it was an inspiring day for all.

“This event was an excellent example of what can be accomplished through our partnership with Chautauqua Institution, the Kennedy Center program, and Jamestown Public Schools,” Liddell said. “It was an incredible day for students from both districts, filled with inspiration and creativity, as a wide array of talented local artists shared their skills.”