Education Exhibition Hallway

Shea’s Exploring the Arts program brings together high school students from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests, while introducing a number of art forms they have had little or no exposure to, including the visual, literary, and performing arts. Students are able to make a connection among several art forms in a final performance of original work presented at the Shea’s Smith Theatre. The anticipated outcome of the program is that students come away with a greater appreciation of the arts while learning to respect and appreciate the talents of others.  

This exhibition displays some of the ways in which participants made connections between the visual and literary arts, and also includes photos of their final performance. As an integral part of the program, students participate in a custom-designed tour of the Albright-Knox. The tour was followed by a hands-on artmaking experience, which focused on the concepts presented during the tour. As a part of their final assignment, students are asked to write a poem or monologue that was inspired by a work of art from the museum’s Collection.

Additionally, students are taught various writing techniques through a series of writing workshops guided by a literary teaching artist. In order to effectively present or perform, students also receive training in various acting techniques, which emphasize character creation and storytelling while incorporating voice and movement. Lastly, students work with guest dance and music artists. Through hands-on experiences with the instructors and guest artists, students explore multiple modes of self-expression. This, in turn, fosters self-assuredness and confidence when performing their final work.

For more information about Shea’s education programs please visit www.sheas.org. 

Admission to this exhibition is free on M&T FIRST FRIDAYS @ THE GALLERY.