“Around the World” - Sounds like an appropriate theme for MPA in these times of increased global focus.  Funny thing is, it was the theme for the MPA Lower School Art Show in 1989.  Back to the future!

“A theme makes teaching our curriculum more fun,” says Karen Rossbach, Lower School art teacher.  “Each year, the concepts can be presented with a little bit different twist as far as the visual or musical approach.  A theme gives us energy to try new ideas and work with each other as teachers.”

This is, of course, emblematic of MPA teachers - finding ways to challenge themselves, to create new and different ways of teaching critical skills.

So what’s the theme for this year’s Lower School Art and Music Show?  I’m tempted to say that you’ll just have to show up and see for yourself.  (In fact, Lower School families will do just that later this evening, but more on that later.)  This year’s theme, “Best of Art and Music - 25 Year Anniversary” is a chance to revisit all the themes dating back to the first theme year in 1989.

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On the 1993 theme:  Disney, A Wonderful World of Color

But the school first opened its doors to students in the fall of 1982, you must be saying to yourself.  Where was the art show before 1989?  Ms. Rossbach was among that first year group of pioneering teachers.

“When the school first opened,” she says, “we had fewer students and the art exhibit in the spring was a K-12 exhibit.  As the school grew, we divided the exhibits up by division. When Mari Espeland joined MPA, she and I put the Lower School music and art exhibit opening on the same evening, which then led to our coordinating art and song.” 

So I asked Ms. Espeland about the process of picking a theme.  “The Lower School music and art teachers gather casually during the summer and brainstorm,” she says, “usually with food and lots of laughter.” 

Ms. Rossbach adds, “we try to alternate between ‘light’ themes and more in-depth, thoughtful themes.”  Some examples from years past include Animal Fair (‘91), Wild West (‘96), Stories Galore (‘98), South of the Border (‘00), Dream On (‘03) and last year’s “It’s a Jungle in Here.”

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Clay trash cans on the 1995 theme:  A Tribute to Jim Henson

As for the collaborative process, which also includes Ms. Mennecke and Ms. Sonka, Ms. Espeland says, “it is so much fun to bounce ideas around and arrive at an evening of art and music that is more than any one of us could ever dream up on our own.  The process of teaching becomes a creative work of art in itself when collaborating with other artist-teachers and with the children at the core of our work.”

“Some years the themes are very straightforward,” says Ms. Sonka, “and other years they require more abstract thought.  I like how this gives us a range of both realistic, literal work and also expressive, reflective work.”  Sometimes there is an attempt to choose a theme that is “relevant to the broader community,” she goes on.  “For instance, the year we did a tribute to Charles Schulz, there was a city-wide celebration of his life and work going on simultaneously throughout St. Paul.” 

And what do MPA students think about the themes?

Ms. Rossbach again:  “The kids love coming back each fall and finding out what theme we have selected.  They like working toward a bigger effort and can see how their expression fits in to the whole.”

“The students,” says Ms. Espeland, “especially the older ones, love to figure out how it is all going to fit together.  They’ll say, ‘Oh, I knew that the body percussion was going to fit with the Orff instrument piece we learned.’”

When the big night arrives, there is definite method to the process of experiencing the work.  The teaching (and learning) continue into the evening.

“Students attend the evening as if it were their opening,” explains Ms. Rossbach.  “They are asked to be hosts and hostesses to their parents and walk them through the exhibit to show and explain ideas to them.”  Faculty take pains to make sure that the work is displayed “in various spaces so the student and their parents will see the whole exhibit by going from space to space.  They are also asked to invite their parents and guests to view work from other students in other grade levels.”

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On various themes for the 25th anniversary 

“Go to the bathroom and get a drink BEFORE you come into the Nicholson Center,” are among the key preparations for the musical portion of the evening, according to Ms. Espeland.  And “no waving at the crowd, only smiling.  More than that,” she goes on, “I have to say, the children know what to do.  Mindy and I help with tempos and a few logistics, but the children know what to do and the program is really theirs.  Luckily, the students let us stay on stage and dance with them!”

You may notice that at the Lower School music program the audience always gets to sing on a least one song.  “We believe the concert is not over until the audience sings!" says Ms. Espeland.  "Singing together builds a happy community!”

And they’ve been “building community” through art and music at MPA for 25 years.  Now there’s a theme for the ages!