PREP Students Flourish Through Arts-Focused Experiences

Bloomfield Hills Schools PREP students have enjoyed a variety of enriching, arts-focused experiences over the past few months. A grant made possible by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, along with additional funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Community Arts Connections Project allowed students to dive into the world of visual and dramatic arts. PREP teacher, Meghan Gornick, explained the purpose of the grant partnership, “The goal is to engage students in the arts offered in their community so that they may try it on their own.”  Simultaneously, the arts community is learning how best to accommodate people with disabilities, creating accessible experiences for everyone.

To gain firsthand knowledge of different forms of art, students ventured out on field trips to theaters and art centers. At the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, PREP students learned about the differences in art styles and had the opportunity to create their own art pieces. Using acrylic paint markers and clear compact discs, they designed their own unique suncatchers. Gornick commented, “A majority of the students said they would like to return to the BBAC, which is a wonderful thing!” At Signal Return Detroit, a letterpress printer offering stamp-art classes for people of all abilities, PREP students were able to observe their printing process. Students also visited the Progressive Art Studio Collective to view and experience visual art. 

Gornick described the remarkable outing to Detroit Repertory Theater: “It’s a quaint theater in Detroit that runs performances throughout the year. We toured the set, saw the lights, and visited the garage where they make props and set designs. An actress and an actor from their current show were available to answer questions and the students were invited onstage to act out an emotion.” Future field trips include visits to the Matrix Theater and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

In addition to the educational excursions, Michigan Arts Access Artists in Residence, Kay Young and Amy Johnson, visited the PREP classroom to engage the students in hands-on arts and drama activities. At the end of the project, the students will have a culminating show displaying the artwork they've created including the photographic documentation of their field trips.