Renaissance literature and arts magazine will host its first schoolwide event, dedicated to celebrating the talents of U-High’s writers, artists, performers and creative minds, from 4-6 p.m. on Jan. 17 in the Rogers Lobby and the middle school theater in Gordon Parks Arts Hall.
The event will feature an interactive gallery of artwork that students have contributed to the magazine over the years, performances by U-High theater students, live readings of student-written pieces and a table with free refreshments and snacks.
Seniors Elizabeth Grace Sharp and Hana Javed, who became co-presidents of the magazine this school year, want to do something to connect with the U-High community. While the magazine currently publishes student artwork, writing and photography, they want to bring in new mediums and perspectives, and someday develop an online presence to upload digital pieces and videos of student performances.
“One idea that we had is moving it more toward a digital space, where we could also include theater performances,” Elizabeth Grace said. “We want to include music pieces from different music clubs and try to incorporate a lot of these new and diverse clubs that are popping up all around into a bigger creative piece together.”
Renaissance hopes this event will not only increase awareness of the magazine and raise submissions, but will create a space for overlap of diverse perspectives and publish work that reflects the unique aspects of student talents.
“When you’re able to share, whether it be artwork, whether it be writing, whether it be music — those things that touch you or make you feel important and valued — when you share that,” Elizabeth Grace said, “I feel like you can create a community of not only seeing other people’s pieces and being inspired by that but also understanding how art comes in a lot of different forms.”
