The Arcata Arts Institute (AAI) at our school is more than just a class- it’s a diverse community where creativity and imagination come to life. Through painting, drawing, theater, and even sculpting, AAI provides students with an environment to explore their talents, express themselves, and grow as an artist.
The Visual Dynamics and Media Arts branch of the Arcata Arts Institute (AAI) is filled with a range of creative talents. In visual media, students get the opportunity to explore their artistic abilities. With a plethora of different mediums, students are able to expand outside of their artistic comfort zone. Junior Meta Nave is an AAI student, who is enrolled in Visual Dynamics this year.
“We have a lot of opportunities to use different materials and experiment with new mediums,” Nave said.
Along with KG and Clewell, Visual Media students flourish. Visual Media has exciting, in-depth projects that push students’ creative abilities.
“If you like doing art or even journaling I think it’s a great way to have somewhere to express yourself and learn new things,” Nave states describing their experience in AAI.
Visual Media offers the opportunity to explore what you can create. This branch of AAI is best for those who love hands-on projects and are excited to create. Visual media gives students the ability to challenge and push the limits of their creative expression.
In the Theater branch, the opportunity to bask in the spotlight or create costumes for performers is readily available. Training is offered in acting and directing, as well as producing student-written and directed works. With a tight-knit community of talented students led by Ms. Zapper, those in theater successfully create fabulous productions and enjoy the time spent on their work.
In the theater program, there’s an annual play for the school. All of the students have the opportunity to try out to be on stage or do production elements for the performance. “Being in that class allows me to be involved in shows, and I just think it’s like a cool and special thing,” Pitts states, discussing admiration for the class.
The theater community is a very welcoming place at Arcata High School. “It builds a big sense of community, it’s really nice to just have this tight-knit group of people that work really close together,” Pitts said about the theater program.
The music branch of AAI is an opportunity to be a part of a group of incredibly talented people. Senior Ava Jones, who is enrolled in the AAI music program, states “We get to have our own shows, and it’s a good way to connect with the community.”
The AAI music students are constantly pushing the boundaries of their musical prowess. This program not only allows students to hone in on their technical skills in music, but also creates an understanding of the appreciation of music, and through that, fosters a community of young musicians who are ready to make their mark on the music world.
The wonderful music teacher, Cassie Moulton, has led so many students to successful careers. This program offers a diverse range of instruments and types of music.
The music branch of AAI has impacted so many people in different ways, whether it be job offers or meeting new friends who share the same skill set. When asked how AAI has impacted Jones’ high school experience so far, Jones said, “It has been a great tool to meet other musicians and just express myself.”
The tech branch of theater tech AAI is a course that explores the wonders of technical production skills for theater, music, and performing arts. Our school’s theater program has always been an outlet for incredible creative expression, through plays, and theater tech.
“It’s like a little family, everyone is just so supportive of one another,” senior Fionn Conroy says.
Under the guidance of the amazing Mrs Zapper, students in the theater tech program receive top-notch training in stage production, directing, and acting.
The annual play is an incredible performance put on by Mrs Zapper and the rest of the theater class. There are multiple different jobs for all types of skill sets, such as acting on stage, doing lights, or doing the rest of the production that is needed to produce an incredible performance.
Conroy said, “It’s nice to have the whole year to work on one project. We got really involved with a bunch of miniature projects.”
Theater is a group of welcoming creatives who support and encourage those who would like to be involved in the production of shows.
