Every year the Illinois High School Association involves the fine-art students in high schools around the state in a Fine Arts Festival. This year, the Suburban Catholic Conference (SCC) sponsored the 2011 Fine Arts Festival hosted at Montini Catholic High School in Lombard. An average of 10-15 students from 8 different high schools attended the festival this year. Montini Catholic High School welcomed Aurora Christian, Chicago Christian, Immaculate Conception, Marian Catholic, Rosary, St. Francis, and Walther Lutheran to its campus for this SCC event.

The day began with a brief welcoming presentation in the Auditorium, followed by the students breaking up into groups and attending various workshops presented by working professionals and college professors. Festival presenters included: James Bagnall (drama) who earned his MFA in professional stage direction and moved to Chicago to direct plays professionally. He currently is a college professor teaching improv techniques at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. Matt Engle (drama) is an actor, director, and fight choreographer. Megan Schutt (drama) earned her MFA in Acting and is currently a teacher, actor and director in Chicago working with various companies. Jennifer Chou (art) is a fiber artist with special interest in weaving and color dyeing, who has completed the COE – Level 1 dyeing program. She also teaches thermofax and surface design with fabrics. Kimberly Mullarkey (art) earned her Bachelor and Masters in Fine Arts. She studies oil painting, teaches botanical art, and illustration at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL and the College of DuPage.

Throughout the day, the students participated in workshops demonstrating how students can utilize thermofax to make t-shirt designs, worked with oil painting, learned different drama techniques and performance skills. At the end of the day, the students staged a drama performance and an art display, which was followed by an Appreciation Dinner.

“This was an educational experience for students with an interest in fine arts. The students had the opportunity to learn from college professors and industry professionals,” commented Montini Catholic Principal, Maryann O’Neill.