Fine Arts Archives

Student Artwork Chosen For Juried Exhibition

November 2, 2017

The Mounds Park Academy Visual Art Department is pleased to share the students selected to be included in the annual invitational juried exhibition at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Fairbault October 26-November 13. Each school invited may enter ten works of art. Of the ten MPA entered, nine pieces were juried in and two received awards.

Alex Esch, senior, received a first place award for her photo, titled, “Small Girl in the Big City” and Siri Vorvick, junior, received an honorable mention for “Piano”. See both below along with all of the other artwork selected for this show. Congratulations!

Click on the image for a full-size view.

: “Joy” by Lily Madore, 11, Colored Pencil

: “Bahamuts” by Lucy Larson, 12, Clay, underglaze, glaze

: “Green Reflection” by Abby Goodno, 12, Clay, underglaze, glaze

: “Obstruction” by Alexandra Esch, 12, Photography

: “Small Girl in a Big City” by Alexandra Esch, 12 Photography

: “Facing Difference” by Mats Dahlberg, 11, Mixed Media Collage

: “Van Gogh’s Aquarium” by Mats Dahlberg, 11, Acrylic

: “Piano” by Siri Vorvick, 11, Acrylic

: “Self-Portrait” by Siri Vorvick, 11, Colored Pencil and Pen

We Sing. We Dance. We Laugh.

September 21, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

When I first heard that Lower School Music Teacher Mari Espeland was introducing her second graders to musician Lionel Hampton and to jazz, I had to see for myself. I thought I was going to simply observe a class, but I was drawn in as a participant, singing, dancing, and learning alongside the students. As a master teacher, Ms. Espeland wove together the basic musical foundation of rhythm and beat in jazz with a history lesson of race in America through the life of Lionel Hampton. I don’t know about the music education you received at this age, but I know this wasn’t part of mine.

I am continually amazed by the incredible music program we have at MPA. Students benefit from early and sustained music education that not only fosters a life-long appreciation for music, but engages students in making music, aesthetic appreciation, and creating beauty. Education in general, and most self-contained gifted and talented programs in particular, sacrifice time for the arts in favor of time for a narrow STEM-related curricula. I think that is a mistake and counter to good pedagogy. It also runs counter to the MPA mission.

Head’s Message: Coming Together

May 4, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending our school’s production of Pippin. I am impressed on so many levels with the accomplishments of our students. The singing was phenomenal, the music was beautiful, and the acting and staging was excellent. I was also struck by the diversity of the cast and crew. Students from across all three grade levels, peer groups, and interests were represented. It was an “MPA Moment” that captured the mission of our school.