News release from the Laguna Beach Unified School District:
The Festival of Arts Foundation awarded four Laguna Beach High School departments with generous grants that will enhance the visual and performing arts education programs at our District.
The grants received are $5,000 apiece for LBHS' art, ceramics, dance and drama departments.
Festival of Arts Foundation President Scott Moore elaborates, "The Festival of Arts Foundation is proud to support Laguna's youth in their pursuit of art, whether it be in preparation for their future art careers or just to help enrich their appreciation for the arts. It is the Foundation's hope that our grants will help our schools’ teachers ignite the artistic flame inside these students, who can then apply for college scholarships through the Festival of Arts Scholarship Program."
The Foundation, which was established in 1989, was co-founded by John Rayment and David Young.
Earnings and income from the endowment are distributed annually to Laguna Beach High School graduates as scholarships and as grants to nonprofit art organizations and educational institutions in Laguna Beach and surrounding areas.
Principal Joanne Culverhouse remarks, “Laguna Beach High School is extremely fortunate to receive the generous grants from the Festival of Arts Foundation. The grants provide assistance to support our students and provide them with opportunities that many schools do not have. The Visual and Performing Arts Programs are enhanced thanks to the support of the Foundation and our partnership makes a difference. We are fortunate to live in a community where there is strong support to promote the Arts within our school.”
LBHS drama teacher Mark Dressler agrees, "The LBHS drama program has been fortunate to receive generous grants from the Festival of Arts Foundation that have been used to help us produce scores of excellent musical and non-musical plays over the last twenty years. Our audiences are consistently astounded by our high production values, particularly by our professionally designed and built sets, which has been possible because of the generosity of the Festival of Arts Foundation."
LBHS ceramics teacher Somer Selway shares, “The ceramics classes at LBHS are so appreciative of the generous donation made by the Festival of Arts Foundation to the 3D program. The funds will be used to purchase clay and various glaze supplies for the students, so they can express and explore their creative personalities!"
Art teacher Bridget Beaudry-Porter said, “We are so thankful for the funds we received for the Art Department. I teach Art I, AP Studio Art, Honors Studio Art, and Photography. Currently, I have been able to supply the classroom with much needed sketchbooks and drawing materials, as well as canvases, acrylic paint, printmaking materials, and paper. These supplies have really enriched our program at LBHS. I am able to teach new units this year with our additional materials and supplies. We have a unit on mixed media with colored pastels, and we are going to learn how to use acrylic mediums with painting. In addition, my Photography students will be able to use a backdrop and new studio lighting to enhance their work. We appreciate the support of the Festival of Arts Foundation, and my students and I are eager to learn and thank the Foundation for their generosity.”
Dance teacher Lisa Jay concurs, "The Festival of Arts Foundation's generous grants are greatly appreciated and have been put to excellent use in supporting the work being done in our Dance Department. Their support has helped us stage two major productions annually for our community. In addition to our winter and spring concerts, our students also choreograph an entire concert on their own and this project is presented in our dance studio here at the high school.”
