Celebration of the Arts
Celebration of the Arts and A Taste of Jesuit 2024 is Sunday, April 21!
Join us for this amazing annual showcase of Jesuit students in music, drama, art, and literature. Of course, the student performances are only part of the experience. For just $6.00, you can enjoy generous, delectable food samplings from Sage Dining, MC Ice, and the Mothers' Club Baking Moms, + drinks.
$6 food passes can be purchased at the event.
Scroll below for a peek at Celebration of the Arts/A Taste of Jesuit form previous years
CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS/A TASTE OF JESUIT 2024
Sunday, April 21, 4:00 to 7:00pm
• 4:00 - 6:00pm - A Taste of Jesuit - Student Commons
• 4:15 - 5:00pm - Student Performances - Student Commons
• 5:00- 7:00pm – Juried Art Show - Antinori Center for the Arts
• 6:15pm - Art Awards Presentation - Antinori Center/Shembekar Auditorium
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CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS 2023
The annual Celebration of the Arts/A Taste of Jesuit on April 23, 2023 was the first to feature the new Antinori Center for the Arts!
As always, it was a phenomenal showcase of Jesuit's artistic talent, and in addition, during the event the school unveiled an extraordinary triptych inside the lobby of the Antinori Center. The breathtaking trio of paintings, titled “The Jesuit Order and the Arts,” is comprised of historic figures and great artists connected to the Society of Jesus from the 16th through 21st centuries. School president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. explained many of the incredible details - depictions of Jesuit High School musicians and thespians are alongside the likes of Jesuit-educated Alfred Hitchcock, composer Ennio Morricone, and St. Ignatius of Loyola and his companions - and introduced the artist, Raul Berzosa. Making his first visit to the U.S., Berzosa, expressed gratitude to Jesuit. His work in Jesuit's Chapel of the Holy Cross - all of the remarkable chapel paintings were done by Berzosa - was his first major work to cross the Atlantic, and this visit to Jesuit was his first time traveling to the States.
Thank you to the food vendors who provided the delicious fare for A Taste of Jesuit: Buddy Brew, Catering by the Family, PDQ, MC Ice, and Jesuit's parent clubs - the Dads' Club and Mothers' Club.
Jesuit's award-winning thespians opened Celebration of the Arts by performing several captivating scenes in the Student Commons. That was followed by the traditional student music concert that energized the Commons. After the music concert, the scene shifted into the Antinori Center and Shembekar Auditorium, where Jesuit's art department head, Kevin Ball, announced the Juried Art Show recipients. Congratulations to all of art show winners, most notably Best in Show honoree Patrick Hyde '24, and AP Art Portfolio winners Simon Wills '24 (Photography & Design) and Lance Hager '23 (Painting & Drawing)
Click here to view all of the winning artwork from the Juried Art Show, and click here to view the names of the winners in each category. Below is a photo slideshow from Celebration of the Arts/A Taste of Jesuit 2023, it is best viewed on a destkop or laptop computer.
A Look back at Celebration of the Arts
Celebration of the Arts 2022
Jesuit High School hosted the annual Celebration of the Arts featuring "A Taste of Jesuit" on Sunday, April 24, 2022 with a phenomenal Juried Art Show, delicious food, and fantastic displays of talent from Jesuit musicians, thespians, and artists!
Click here to view the winners of the Juried Art Show at Celebration of the Arts 2022!
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Celebration of the Arts 2021
Jesuit’s Student Commons and MPR were transformed into an artistic hotbed on Sunday afternoon April 18, 2021, as the school showcased its exceptional talent in the arts at the annual Celebration of the Arts. The annual event was returning to campus after a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
Jesuit's visual artists, under the direction of Kevin Ball ’03, once again created a remarkable showcase throughout the Multi-Purpose Room for the Juried Art Show, featuring all of the senior AP Portfolios and hundreds of projects.
The highest honors were awarded to Matthew Justin ’22 for Best in Show, Will Danzi ’21 for Best AP Portfolio, Josh Milam ’22 for Honors Studio Art, and Phillip Falcon ’23 for Studio Art I.
Sunday also featured “A Taste at Jesuit,” a slight variation of the traditional “A Taste of Jesuit” event enjoyed at Celebration of the Arts in years past. This year, the Jesuit Dads’ Club grilled up delectable sausages, burgers, and hot dogs, while the Mothers’ Club made salads and desserts.
Justin became just the second non-senior to win Best in Show in 12 years, following Bryce Denick ’20 in 2019, which was the last year of the Juried Art Show. Justin’s Pen & Ink image of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France (based off a photo Justin snapped while on a Jesuit pilgrimage there two summers ago) earned the nod from the event's three judges: former award-winning Jesuit AP Art students Justin Sanchez '17 and Loki Fountain '19, who are both students at the University of Tampa, and Victoria Pagel, the educational programs coordinator for the Tampa Museum of Art.
Danzi placed ahead of runner-up Jake Spoto ’21 and 3rd-place Joseph Koebbe ’21 in AP Portfolio. Milam was selected ahead of runner-up Franco Capitano ’22 and 3rd-place Archie Teller ’22 in Honors Studio Art, and Falcon was chosen ahead of runner-up Mauricio Perilla-Pena ’23, and 3rd-place Michael Beard ’22.
Click here to view a slideshow of the winning artwork from all categories in the Juried Art Show.
Earlier in the Student Commons, the hundreds in attendance enjoyed wonderful theatre and musical performances. The drumline opened the show, followed by the choir. Under the direction of Dominic DiCarlo, the choir performed beautiful renditions of several songs, including the Irish folk classic “Dulaman.” That was followed by several engaging stage performances under the direction of Richard Miller, Jesuit's theater director, including an award-winning duet by Colin Creadon ’23 and Grant Jurusz ’22.
Music director Nina Wegmann led Jesuit's musicians through numerous pieces featuring the full range of instruments, including numbers by Brian Setzer, Glenn Miller, and the Beatles.
Click here to view an expansive photo slideshow from Celebration of the Arts, and click here for a PDF with the names of artwork of all of the winners.
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Celebration of the Arts 2019
Jesuit High School's Student Commons and MPR were bursting with exceptional artistic talent – and fabulous food – on Sunday afternoon April 28, 2019, at the annual Celebration of the Arts and A Taste of Jesuit event enjoyed by hundreds of school supporters.
Jesuit's visual artists, under the direction of Kevin Ball '03, once again created a remarkable showcase throughout the Multi-Purpose Room for the Juried Art Show, featuring 22 senior portfolios and some 500 projects. The three highest honors were awarded to two seniors in Jesuit's exceptional AP Art program, and a junior: Bryce Denick '20 earned Best in Show, Jackson Fanaro '19 was recognized for Best Senior Drawing Portfolio, and Matt Farley '19 earned top honors in Senior 2-D Design Portfolio.
Denick became the first non-senior to win Best in Show in 11 years, with his Mixed Media Portrait earning the nod from the event's three judges, all former award-winning Jesuit AP Art students: Jake Beil '12, Justin Sanchez '17, and Emiliano Settecasi '13.
Fanaro placed ahead of runner-up Loki Fountain '19 and 3rd-place Sergio Ruiz '19 in Senior Drawing Portfolio. Recognized along with Farley in Senior 2-D Design Portfolio were Alex Miller '19 (2nd) and Connor Stuart '19 (3rd).
Click here to view a slideshow of the winning artwork (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) from all nine categories in the Juried Art Show, and click here for a text listing of the top 3 in each category.
Vincent Girgenti '20 placed 2nd in three categories, and the other category winners were: Sophomore Still Life - Damian Lantigua '21; Sophomore Surrealism & Conceptual Art - Jackson Parilo '21; Charcoal & Pastel Studies - Bryce Denick '20; Oil Pastel Paintings - Anthony Romer '20; Pen & Ink Studies - Bryce Denick '20; Acrylic Paintings - Jack McGill '20.
Earlier in the Student Commons, the hundreds in attendance enjoyed wonderful theatre and musical performances. The Jesuit choir, under the direction of Dominic DiCarlo, performed first, with beautiful renditions of the Beatles' "Yesterday" and John Denver's "Country Roads," followed by several stage performances from some of Jesuit's award-winning thespians, under the direction of theater director Richard Miller: Nicholas Asher '21, Jimmy Grammig '21, Joseph Lopez '21, Xander Arena '20, and Riley Buchanan '20.
Music director Nina Wegmann led Jesuit's musicians through numerous pieces featuring the full range of instruments. Jesuit's musicians will perform these numbers, as well as many that were performed at the April 26 Mission Drive Day concert, at the annual Spring Music Concert on Saturday (May 4) at 7:00pm in the MPR.
A Taste of Jesuit provided the delectable food on Sunday, serving a fantastic array of cuisine from tents in the walkway between the Student Commons and Chapel of the Holy Cross. Jesuit expresses its gratitude for all of the vendors who supported this year's event: Carne Chophouse, M&R Catering, PDQ, Florida Fresh Vending, Catering by the Family, Jimbo's Bar B-Q, and Beef O'Brady's, along with the Jesuit Mothers' Club and Jesuit Dads' Club. Thank you!
View a photo slideshow below from Sunday's Celebration of the Arts/A Taste of Jesuit 2019.
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Celebration of the Arts 2018
Jesuit High School was chock-full of extraordinary artistic talent - and fabulous food - on Sunday afternoon April 22 at the annual Celebration of the Arts and "A Taste of Jesuit" festivities.
Jesuit's visual artists, under the direction of Kevin Ball '03, once again created an amazing showcase throughout the Multi-Purpose Room for the Juried Art Show. The two highest honors were awarded to seniors in Jesuit's exceptional AP Art program: Ethan Dieck '18 earned Best in Show, and Diego Perez-Aracena '18 was recognized for Best AP Portfolio, with Dieck placing 2nd and Nick Vastano '18 3rd.
Dieck, whose AP Portfolio theme was psychological disorders, won Best in Show for his powerful acrylic on utility fabric painting titled "A.D.D." Ball and Dieck are pictured on the homepage, with "A.D.D." between them.
Perez-Aracena's AP Portfolio theme was stigmatized human abnormalities, and Vastano's theme was rusted and decaying items. Click here to view a slideshow of the winning artwork (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) from all 11 categories in the Juried Art Show. Click here for a photo slideshow from the Juried Art Show.
Among the other category winners were Robbie Shaffer '19 in two disciplines, Charcoal Studies and Scratchboard, Paul Schnell '19 in Low Key High Contrast, Rodrigo Garcia-Gil '19 in Mixed Media, Tyler Petitt '19 in Pen & Ink, and Loki Fountain '19 in Acrylic Painting.
The judges for the show were renowned artist Dr. Jose Rodeiro '67, Debra Malschick of the Savannah College of Art and Design, and local artist Adam Woodard '13, a former AP Studio Art student at Jesuit.
Outside in the Student Commons, the hundreds in attendance at Celebration of the Arts enjoyed wonderful theatre and musical performances. The Jesuit choir, under the direction of Dominic DiCarlo, performed first, followed by stage performances from two of Jesuit's award-winning thespians, Jimmy Grammig '21 and Riley Buchanan '20.
Music director Nina Wegmann led Jesuit's musicians through numerous pieces featuring the full range of instruments. Among the highlights were a special arrangement of Camila Cabello's "Havana" featuring Michael McDonough '21 on violin, Joseph Ralston '19 on electric violin, and Jordan Vivero '18 on the keyboard, as well as popular takes on "In the Mood" and "Hot Hot Hot." Jesuit's musicians will perform these numbers and many more, including selections from George Harrison, Elton John, and Nirvana, at their spring concert on Saturday (April 28) at 7:00pm in the MPR.
A Taste of Jesuit provided the delicious fare on Sunday. Food tents in the Student Commons served guests an array of outstanding items against the backdrop of Jesuit's new Chapel of the Holy Cross. Jesuit expresses its gratitude for all of the vendors who supported Celebration of the Arts 2018: Noble Crust, M&R Catering, Gino's, Florida Fresh Vending, Catering by the Family, and Beef O'Brady's, along with the Jesuit Mothers' Club and Jesuit Dads' Club.
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Celebration of the Arts 2017
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."
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, click here for a photo slideshow from the event, 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.
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Celebration of the Arts 2016
The flawless weather on Sunday, April 10 set the perfect backdrop for Celebration of the Arts and A Taste of Jesuit, Jesuit's annual spectacular art and food festival.
Jesuit's visual artists, under the direction of Kevin Ball '03, once again created a stunning display in the Multi-Purpose Room for the Juried Art Show. Claiming highest honors in the top categories, from a field of outstanding artists, was Calvin Scott ’16. Scott earned 1st place in the Senior Portfolio category, as well as Best in Show for his colored pencil on illustration board piece.
Danny Kervin ’16 and Jacob Zelen ’16 earned 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in Senior Portfolio. Among the other 1st place winners were Victor Bufano ’16 (Teacher Commission Project), Will Sands ’17 (Junior Scratchboard),and Justin Sanchez ’17 in three categories: Junior Pointilism, Junior Pen & Ink Studies, and Junior Acrylic Painting.
Click here to view all of the winning art pieces in a PowerPoint (it may take a minute to load), and click here for a text list of all winners.
Evaluating the hundreds of pieces of student art and serving as judges were Sarah Thornhill of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising; Erin Franklin, visual arts teacher at the Academy of the Holy Names, and Jorge Cainas ’11, a former art student of Mr. Ball’s at Jesuit.
Hundreds of guests enjoyed wonderful theatre and musical performances showcased in the student commons. Vito Holmes ’16 beautifully sang “Pure Imagination” from the classic “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” for which he has earned District and State awards.
That was followed by the Jesuit Masque, led by director Richard Miller, performing two scenes: The first was from Ace Cabalan 16’s prize-winning original play, "Fuoco e Acqua," and the second was from the Broadway and cinema classic “A Few Good Men,” Jesuit’s upcoming spring production on April 21-23.
Music director Nina Wegmann then led Jesuit's musicians through an array of pieces featuring the full range of instruments. One of the highlights was an electric violin performance from Spencer Whipple ’16. Jesuit’s musicians will perform their spring concert on April 29, as well as special concert for the student body at Convocation on Mission Drive Day, April 22.
A Taste of Jesuit provided the delicious fare on Sunday, with food tents serving guests in the commons. Jesuit thanks the vendors who supported Celebration of the Arts 2016: Beef O’Brady’s, Catering by the Family, Florida Fresh Vending, Little Greek, PDQ, and Tastes of Tampa Bay, along with the Jesuit Mothers’ Club and Jesuit Dads’ Club.