Fine arts in all forms were showcased during “Celebration of the Arts” last month at Vicksburg High School.
The one-night collaboration April 21 was an opportunity for Vicksburg Community Schools to showcase its fine arts programs. Attractions ranged from two-dimensional drawings by elementary students to impressive works of art by middle school and high school students. Also on display were the works of film and video students, as well as a dance recital.
Bands and choir performances rounded out the evening that, in one way or another, featured or showcased the work of more than 600 students.
Anna Lacey, high school art teacher and the district’s Fine Arts chair, said “Celebration of the Arts” is held every other year, which helps keep it a novelty that traditionally draws hundreds of people. The 2025 event was no exception.
“It is pretty special and this is the first year I am also incorporating my AP art class as their own separate show, so this is a really big day,” she said. “As you look around the building and see, there’s quite a bit of work that goes into this, quite a bit of planning and organizing, but it is worth it, absolutely.”
Lacey said Vicksburg’s Fine Arts Department came up with the concept about 15 years ago. She said she especially likes the exposure it gives to a side of Vicksburg Community Schools not always as high-profile or visible as athletics, for example.
Senior Kyren Shields, one of 13 people in Lacey’s AP art class, said putting together artwork that he knew would be viewed during a public display added a level of pressure.
He said the theme of his contributions was “insanity.” He explained.
“Along the lines of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet,’” Shields said. “It was going to be based in paint but I decided to graffiti it onto the canvas. It wasn’t where I thought I was going to go but I liked it at the very end.”
Shields said he typically bases his work on what he sees from comic-book artists. In fact, he said he would like to continue working in art after graduating, focusing his attention on digital inking within graphic novel comic books.
Middle School band directors Jay Bennett and Ben Rosier said “Celebration of the Arts” is an opportunity to showcase the works of hundreds of talented students. Rosier said the occasion for elementary band students to perform with middle school and high school counterparts holds great value.
“It gives our kids – especially the little ones – a chance to see what is available to them as they go through the programs, whether it be band, strings or choirs,” he said. “This gives them a chance to experience that tonight, but on a bigger stage. And they will get to hear the best ensembles we have and the things they get to look forward to.”
The performing arts component of the event featured choirs, bands and elementary strings in grades third through twelfth grades.
Rosier acknowledged there are individual events, such as concerts, put on at different times throughout the academic year. But the “Celebration of the Arts,” he said, is truly a celebration.
He indicated the community should be proud of Vicksburg’s bands and choirs.
“There’s more support for our bands and choirs, more than most of our band director colleagues get to brag about,” he said. “We have two jazz bands, the symphonic band, the concert bands and the wind ensembles … five high school bands, which is considered a lot. Nobody in the area has three high school concert bands, let alone five bands altogether.”
