Cultural Arts on the Fox a Success

More than 300 people visited District 300 Foundation’s first Cultural Arts on the Fox Open House last night, which brought together high school student artists and performers from Dundee-Crown, Hampshire and Jacobs.

Diane Magerko of the District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence who conceived and put together the event, called last night's turnout "a definite success."

“We wanted to show the community how important the arts are," Magerko said. "Culturally it’s so important to these kids. If they don’t experience it in school, how will they experience it after they leave school?”

Jacobs High School’s wind ensemble, vocal jazz ensemble, chamber choir and theater department all performed. Hampshire students presented a vocal performance, and Dundee-Crown brought its chorus, jazz band and clarinet and flute quartets.

The evening’s musical performances were more informal, allowing viewers to come and go.

“With this type of performance you can have more of a relationship with the audience,” Anthony Gnutek, Jacobs High School’s band director said. “Here you can see people. You can see who is listening and how they’re appreciating the performance."

Tisha Ellis, an AP Art Teacher at Jacobs said she appreciated the open house as a venue for students to display their artwork.

“It’s such a big commitment for them to do these projects, and for them to share their work and get recognition for it is wonderful.”

Laura LaRue, an art teacher from Hampshire, echoed Ellis.

“A venue like this brings in people who are interested in art. It’s different from other shows we do, like the mall show.”

For some students, however, last night's art show was more than just showcasing their work, it was a glimpse into their future.

Two students, Alana Rung and her friend Abby, who participate in the Jacobs’ Art Program will both be attending art school in the fall. Between the two of them, they have been awarded $138,000 in scholarships.

“Other kids in our program have gotten scholarships too,” they said, “We wouldn’t have been able to do it without the art program.”

The Open House took place at 11 West Main in Carpentersville, part of a downtown restoration project by Tom Roeser. A former president of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Tom Roeser feels a deep connection to the arts and the surrounding community.

“Even though I own this building, it’s a part of the community. This event seemed like the perfect opportunity to share it,” Roeser said.