Summer Arts deadline upcoming

Kirstie Hettinga
The Collegian

There is still time to sign up for Summer Arts. For all the students who are looking for a way to occupy their summer hours, Summer Arts is an excellent way to learn new skills and add units.

Jacqueline Doumanian, who is with community relations for Summer Arts, said students need to be aware of available scholarships. A bonus, Doumanian said, is that tuition is a one-time fee, so students who sign up for one three-unit course may take a second session for no additional charge.

Doumanian said a benefit of Summer Arts is the depth of the programs.

“It’s such a phenomenal program, its gives them the opportunity to work in a small group so they get a lot of personal attention from the master teacher,” Doumanian said.

Another benefit that comes from Summer Arts is the unique blending of ages and skill levels.

Fresno State dance professor Ruth Griffin, who will be coordinating with Dell’Arte International said, “There’s always a real community generated, you become very close to your fellow actors or performers.”

For those who may not have the ability to commit to a two-week intensive, performances will be taking place nearly every evening in July.

Griffin said she looks forward to the performances, “When it’s here I think ‘Wow, I love this, it’s freshness and aliveness and abundance and joy in creation.’”

Director of Summer Arts Jim Spalding said he looking forward to the Terrence Blanchard Jazz Concert, which will kick of the performance calendar, but said the student culminations are what he really looks forward to. Other items of interest on the events calendar include the HT Chen & Company Dance Performance and Troika Ranch Dance Performance.

Griffin said, “It’s really healthy for people to be involved in art, it’s really a healthy thing to be involved in a thing you can never possess or own. That you strive for and it always eludes you, and it bring you more fully alive.”

Summer Arts is a chance for students to immerse themselves in art, “It’s as if it were a retreat, you’re going to put the rest of your life on hold and retreat to art in a way to save art, to save some part of your soul,” Griffin said.

Doumanian wants students to know that the opportunities are out there and students should not hold back.

“Basically we’re saying ‘Okay, here’s a silver platter, what would you like to take off it?’ Don’t be shy, take what you want.’” Doumanian said.

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