Saint Paul Public Schools Celebrate Student Talent April 26

On Tuesday, April 26, Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) and Ordway Center for the Performing Arts will showcase the artistic talents of more than 300 students in the 20th annual Honors Concert, Performance Art and Art Exhibition. The centerpiece of the event is the Honors Concert and Performance Art, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Ordway Music Theater. The concert will feature instrumental and vocal performances conducted by Dr. Douglas Orzolek (band), Claudette Laureano (orchestra) and Steven Boehlke (choir), as well as spoken word poetry performed by students working under the direction of performer and Honors Concert emcee, Tou Ger Xiong. The event will also include a projected slideshow of the visual art images that were selected for exhibition.

Complementing the musical performances will be an exhibition of student artwork hosted by the College of Visual Arts (CVA). It will feature the visual artists' creations selected from original paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures and other works submitted by SPPS students. The exhibition opens with a reception on Thursday, May 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. and runs through June 4 at the CVA Gallery, 173 Western Avenue in Saint Paul.

"The Ordway is pleased to partner with Saint Paul Public Schools and the College for Visual Arts for this important annual event," says Patricia A. Mitchell, president and CEO of Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. "Our community is enriched by the creative talents exhibited by student artists every year, and I look forward to seeing and hearing their latest work."

"The chance for student artists from Saint Paul Public Schools to showcase their hard work on a professional stage demonstrates that the heart of our community is a commitment to supporting our students' progression," says Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent, Valeria Silva. "Thanks to partnerships like this, students can see that our community cares about what they have to say through a canvas, a bar of music or a well-crafted verse."

Over the course of its 20-year history, the annual Honors Concert, Performance Art and Art Exhibition has showcased the musical and artistic talents of more than 7,000 Saint Paul students through vocal and instrumental performances, spoken word poetry and a visual art exhibition. Each year, students submit original paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures and other works of art, or participate in rigorous band, choral and orchestral auditions. The music students have a rare opportunity to perform on stage in one of Minnesota's premier concert halls.
"The College of Visual Arts is honored to showcase the art work of students from the Saint Paul Public Schools in partnership with the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts," says Ann Ledy, president and chief academic officer of the College of Visual Arts. "CVA is committed to excellence in art and design education and is proud to recognize this young talent."

About Saint Paul Public Schools
Founded in 1856, Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) provides a world-class education to more than 38,000 students in 64 community and magnet schools. SPPS is one of the most diverse school districts in the nation with programs that include aerospace and engineering, language immersion, International Baccalaureate, and visual and performing arts. Visit us online at www.spps.org

About the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Paul's most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordway's Music Theater and McKnight stages attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance, and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway's mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also serves as authorizer for the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances.

About the College of Visual Arts
The College of Visual Arts is a private, accredited, four-year college of art and design offering Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in graphic design, illustration, photography, fashion design, and fine art with concentrations in drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Founded in 1924, the college is located in the thriving urban residential areas of historic Summit Hill and Ramsey Hill in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

20th Annual Honors Concert and Performance Art
Tuesday, April 26, at 7 p.m.
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts - Ordway's Music Theater
345 Washington Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Tickets: $5 General Admission
Box Office: 651.224.4222
TDD (Hearing Impaired): 651.282.3100
www.ordway.org

Saint Paul Public Schools Honors Art Exhibition
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 26, 5-7 p.m.
Brief program: 5:30 p.m.
Exhibition: May 26 through June 4
Gallery hours: Wed. and Fri. noon-6 p.m.; Thurs. noon-8 p.m.; Sat. noon-4 p.m.
College of Visual Arts Gallery
173 Western Avenue at Selby Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651.757.4080
gallery@cva.edu

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