SNOW HILL – Local students got a glimpse of the array of careers in the arts available to them at Snow Hill Elementary School’s The Big Draw.
Kindergarten students are pictured above left at work drawing birds during last week’s The Big Draw at Snow Hill Elementary School.
The Big Draw, an annual event at the Snow Hill school, gives creative professionals a chance to share their careers with area children.
“The students look forward to it,” Principal Mary Anne Cooper said. “We connect it to college and career — what are the opportunities you can do with art in the future?”
The event is in its fifth year at Snow Hill Elementary (SHES). Although The Big Draw was first held in Europe more than two decades ago, SHES art teacher Cindy Sullivan decided to give it a try in Snow Hill in 2011.
“I thought it’d be a great opportunity for the entire school to do art for a whole day,” she said.
So each year she approaches various community members involved in the arts and asks them to come in and provide demonstrations for the children. Guests this year included musicians from the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, a yoga instructor, an architect, a photographer and a music
Carol Pike leads kindergarten students in a yoga storytelling session.
therapist, among others. The art supplies needed for the event were funded with a grant from the Worcester County Arts Council.
Sullivan said it can be challenging to get community members to commit to spending the day at the school but that many of them come back year after year.
Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra violinist Nicholas Currie said he enjoyed sharing his love of music with the kids. He told them how he’d come to be a professional musician and why he loved his career.
“I like to be able to show the instruments to the kids so they can experience it and get a feel for it,” he said.
For the first time this year, The Big Draw was incorporated into Snow Hill Elementary School’s College and Career Week. Created by Cooper, the week of activities introducing students to the
Violinist Nicholas Currie shows a student how to play violin. Photos by Charlene Sharpe
careers that can await them with proper education.
“I believe it’s important to talk at the elementary level about the future,” Cooper said. “It’s too late if you wait until after elementary school.”
Because The Big Draw showcased careers in the arts, Cooper said it tied into College and Career Week perfectly.
“It fits in naturally,” she said. “All of the people here are participating in the arts as their career.”
