Chatham Arts Council

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May 31, 2023

Drumming, Dancing, and an Ancient Art Form Flow into Silk Hope

Photo triptych L to R: students smiling and cheering; African man in traditional dress holding drum skins for two female students

The Magic of African Rhythm (TMOAR) visited Silk Hope for a 3-day Artists-in-Schools residency jam-packed with African dancing, storytelling, drumming, music-making, and the ancient art of Adinkra printing. Members of… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: Adrinka, African dance, AIS, artists-in-schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, dancing, drumming, Magic of African Rhythm, print blocks, Silk Hope, storytelling

May 17, 2023

Mike Wiley Brings the Story of Henry “Box” Brown to Chatham Grove and JS Waters

Photo triptych of Howard Craft, female student performing with Mike Wiley, and boy wearing glasses seated at desk, smiling and waving at camera

Mike Wiley is a story teller, and he had a thrilling and important one for the kids at Chatham Grove and JS Waters. It was the story of Henry “Box”… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: actor, AIS, artists-in-schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Howard Craft, Mike Wiley, playwright, poet, theatre, Writing, writing process, Writing teacher

May 9, 2023

Willa Brigham Stitches Together Songs, Poems, and Stories at Woods Charter

Triptych of students sewing and Willa Brigham assisting one student

  November brought cooler temperatures to Chatham County, but in a classroom at Woods Charter, the warmth of two-time Emmy award winner Willa Brigham was a welcome change. Students were… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, artists-in-schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, textiles, willa brigham, woods, woods charter

November 1, 2022

Phillip Shabazz Brings the Power of Poetry to Willow Oak

Photo triptych of Phillip Shabazz residency

NC poet Phillip Shabazz delighted the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade combined classes at Willow Oak Montessori Charter, making our second Artists-in-Schools residency of the season a smashing success. “Imagination… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured |

October 20, 2022

Gaspard&Dancers Kicks Off New Season of Artists-in-Schools

Photo featuring Gaspard dancer leading students

Our 2022-23 Artists-in-Schools season kicked off at North Chatham Elementary with Durham-based dance company Gaspard&Dancers in an arts residency sponsored by Lily’s Golden Birthday. Founded by former Pilobolus dancer, Gaspard… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured |

September 15, 2022

Arts for Resilient Kids 2022-23 Season

Members of Flamenco Vivo teach kids at Virginia Cross

We are thrilled to announce our 2022-23 Arts for Resilient Kids season! We’re kicking off Artists-in-Schools with new AIS educators Gaspard&Dancers. Truck-and-Trailer, ArtAssist for Kids, and ClydeFEST are all back,… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Events, Slideshow Featured |

June 23, 2022

Diali Cissokho Brings More Than Drumming to Chatham Grove and Chatham Charter

It’s not hard to understand why Diali (pronounced Jelly) Cissokho is one of the most memorable teaching artists we have here in Chatham. With his brilliantly colored dashiki, booming voice,… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, artists, Arts education, Chatham County, Children, Cultural Events, Music

June 22, 2022

John Brown Band Jazzes Up Learning at Bonlee and Willow Oak

Most kids think of jazz as “old-people music,” if they think of it at all. Thanks to Artists-in-Schools, the students at Willow Oak and Bonlee School learned there’s a lot… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, artists, Arts education, Chatham County, Children, Cultural Events, Music

June 10, 2022

Math and Science Meet Dance in Siler City and Silk Hope

You expect a company called Black Box Dance Theatre to know a lot about dance. But they know a lot of other stuff, too! Perfect example–when they arrived at Silk… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, artists, Arts education, Chatham County, Children, Cultural Events, Music

June 10, 2022

Bennett Students Explore the Art and History of Masks

Masks created by students at Bennett School

The ongoing pandemic has had masks at the top of nearly everyone’s mind, including teaching artist Serena Ebhardt of EbzB Productions. “During the height of masking for the pandemic, I… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, artists, Arts education, Chatham County, Children, Cultural Events, Music

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2021-22 Season Artists-In-Schools – It’s a Wrap!

https://youtu.be/EWolFvx5reo

From the Horse’s Mouth…

Don’t take it from us! See what Chatham County students, teachers and administrators are saying about their Artists-in-Schools experience.

  • “This was so insightful! It gave a window into the minds and thoughts of our students. The engaging responses reached into the pupils’ creativity that is not accessed in ways typical of educational rigors. Interaction with these artists unveiled the inner qualities of the individual in ways not easily reached. So grateful for this opportunity for our students!”
  • “One of our students was so impressed by the content of the performance that he sought out the dancer and asked to take lessons over Zoom. The way the workshop was structured allowed students to make constructive use of emotion while also creating a sense of shared experience. Meagan’s affirmation and modification of students’ ideas gave even reticent students confidence to share.”
  • “The continued freedom of expression that students have, the teamwork aspect of partner drumming and the enjoyment that music brings [were]  just reminders of some of the joys of life.”
  • “One particular student in my class has gone through the loss of a close family member this year, and I felt the poetry sessions with Mr. Shabazz gave him a chance to express and share his emotions. I believe this particular student will continue using poetry/writing to express his thoughts and feelings in the future. He now has a life-long skill he can use to cope when things get tough.”
  • “I think it’s so introspective for our teachers, and it makes them reflective on their learning as adults; therefore, they can positively reflect on their teaching!”
  • “The program gives students the opportunity to see great performances then participate in the creative process with the professional artists as they create their own performance piece. During this experience, students are encouraged to use critical thinking skills, collaborative problem solving and self expression. They see the importance of the arts in real world applications.”

Meet This Artist

Triptych of photos of Sanaiya

Meet This Artist: Sanaiya Cheek

The Chatham Arts Council is investing in artists through our Meet This Artist series, introducing you to 12 Chatham County artists each year in a big way. The fine folks at Hobbs Architects in downtown Pittsboro are powering our Meet This Artist … Read More →


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