Celebrating Arts

The Student Commons at Jesuit High School was filled with extraordinary artistic talent and great food on Sunday afternoon (April 23) at the annual Celebration of the Arts and A Taste of Jesuit extravaganza.

Jesuit's visual artists, under the direction of Kevin Ball '03, created an amazing wall-to-wall showcase in the Multi-Purpose Room for the Juried Art Show. Claiming highest honors in the top two categories, from among hundreds of exceptional works displayed by outstanding student artists, was Justin Sanchez '17. Sanchez earned 1st place in the Senior Portfolio category for his broad array of superior work, and also earned the event's top honor, Best in Show, for his dynamic acrylic on canvas painting "Rooster Fight." (View a photo slideshow from the event at the end of this story.)

Lucas Ortiz ’17 and Rhett Broz ’17 earned 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in Senior Portfolio. Among the other 1st place winners were Nathan Wegner ’17 (Teacher Commission Project), Quintin Hoggard ’18 in two categories (Edible Aesthetic and Touch of Color), and Bryce Bailey '18 in two categories (Low Key High Contrast and Pen & Ink).

Among the judges evaluating the hundreds of pieces of student art was Emiliano Settecasi ’13, a former student of Mr. Ball’s who won Best in Show at Celebration of the Arts 2013 and is a professional painter. Also serving as judges were Sister Lisa Perkowski, a Studio Art teacher at Academy of the Holy Names, and Jason Ault, a professor at The Art Institute of Tampa. 

Click here to view all of the winning art pieces, and click here for a text list of all winners.

The hundreds in attendance also enjoyed wonderful theatre and musical performances in the Student Commons. Noah Armenia '17 and Lucas Pasquier '17 highlighted the stage performance with an improvisational routine in the middle of the Commons.

Music director Nina Wegmann led Jesuit's musicians through nine pieces featuring the full range of instruments. Among the highlights were songs from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Indiana Jones," and "The Lion King." Pianist Jordan Vivero '18 wrote a special arrangement to "Dog Days Are Over" that featured an electric violin solo by Joseph Ralston '19, and the guitar ensemble performed Eric Clapton's classic "Tears in Heaven." Jesuit’s musicians will perform these numbers and many more at their spring concert on Saturday (April 29) at 7:00pm in the MPR.

A Taste of Jesuit provided the delicious fare on Sunday, with food tents serving guests in the Commons. Jesuit is grateful for all of the vendors who supported Celebration of the Arts 2017: Beef O’Brady’s, Catering by the Family, Florida Fresh Vending, Gino's, Little Greek, PDQ, and Tastes of Tampa Bay, along with the Jesuit Mothers’ Club and Jesuit Dads’ Club.

View a photo slideshow below of Celebration of the Arts, with photos from all aspects of the event.