The excitement builds at J.S. Waters School as students eagerly await their performance. They’re sitting in neat rows on the floor, not exactly sure of what they’re here to see, but sure they’ve taken a mini field trip – a break from their normal routine – so something exciting must be about to take place…. Read More →
Who Values Arts: Nancy Hardin
People give to the Chatham Arts Council for lots of different reasons. And we’re grateful for them all! We sat down with Nancy Hardin to learn more about her connection to the arts and her generosity to the Chatham Arts Council. From seeing something unique in the connection between theater artist Mike Wiley and the… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: A Deep Dive into Civil Rights History and Literature with Mike Wiley
If you know Mike Wiley, you know that he is full of expression, captures an audience almost instantly, and finds a way to pull out the inner theater artist in everyone he meets. This fall, students and teachers at Perry Harrison Elementary and Bennett School discovered this first-hand during Wiley’s performance of Jackie Robinson: A… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: West African Musician Diali Cissokho Unifies Students, Drumming to a Central Beat
Stretching across the multi-purpose room, you see an audience full of wide eyes and slight restlessness. The students at North Chatham Elementary are curious about the performance they’re about to see and anxious for it to begin. As soon as West African musician, Diali (pronounced “Jelly”) Cissokho, begins playing the kora (a West African jumbo… Read More →
The Chatham Experience 2019: Exceptional Talent, Unique Collaborations, HOT Fun!
True. Chatham. Experience. If you were lucky enough to attend The Chatham Experience: Benefit Concert for Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative in late September, you know what we’re talking about. Only in Chatham could you go to a unique venue like the Chatham Beverage District, enjoy local eco-friendly food and drink while listening to well-known musicians… Read More →
The Chatham Experience 2019: Save the Date!
Chatham Rabbits, The Bluegrass Experience, and Diali Cissokho all on one stage in the Chatham Beverage District?! Yep! Save the date for The Chatham Experience: Benefit Concert for Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative, on Sunday, September 29! This year’s event is a unique cross-generational fundraising concert, sponsored by Opus Financial Advisors, featuring musical performances by… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: Curriculum Come to Life in Two Chatham County Elementary Schools
History, math, science – sometimes everyday curriculum can be difficult to grasp for elementary school students. The concept seems unfamiliar or too far removed from everyday life to grasp. But when a student becomes an integral part of dissecting and reconstructing it in a different way, the ability to connect with curriculum concepts is more… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: The West African Kora Makes its Way to Three Chatham County Schools, Thanks to the Talented Diali Cissokho
This May, three Chatham County schools experienced an interactive performance of West African kora (a West African jumbo spike-lute with 22 strings made from fishing line), singing, and drumming with Diali Cissokho, as part of the Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative. Bennett K-8 School, Virginia Cross, and Perry Harrison Elementary students and teachers were called… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Spanish Dance Residencies Bring Out the Inner Artists in Students at Two Chatham County Schools
Spanish dancing. It’s not the typical after-school activity for students at Moncure School or North Chatham Elementary. When Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana arrived at those two Chatham county schools this March as part of the Artists-in-Schools Initiative, Spanish dancing became THE ticket to eliciting smiles and big participation–and to unleashing the inner artist in students… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: JS Waters Students Open to New Experience with The Magic of African Rhythm
Just days before spring break, something magical happened at JS Waters School. Something that could make you forget where you were and transport you to another continent. You could hear African drums beating. You could see students dancing and creating visual art with Adinkra (symbols that represent concepts). You could listen intently to cultural storytelling…. Read More →
