Music & Art Students Visit Johnson Museum of Art
SKANEATELES, NY (September 20, 2018) – In a joint effort between the Skaneateles High School Tri-M and Art Departments, students in the art classes of Jessica Sawchuk along with Maureen Van Vechten’s Music Honor Society students visited Cornell University’s Johnson Museum of Art on Tuesday.
The trip was an all-day experience with students interacting with and taking in various works of art, photos, installation spaces, and musical instruments.
The day started with a trip to the Japanese garden as students stopped to draw sketches or take photos before viewing a film installation by the artist, Xu Bing, about the history of Chinese characters.
The students then visited the Cornell University Music building to learn about the Gamelan, a traditional ensemble of music from Java and Bali in Indonesia, which is made mostly of percussion instruments. Students were able to play these instruments and learned about the history of this music from Chris Miller, a professor at Cornell University.
To end the afternoon, students took a hike through Ithaca, eventually ending their journey at the Taste of Thai Express, where everyone experienced new and unique dishes from Thailand.
“The experience was meant to be a melding of music and art and a means to inspire our student artists,” said Skaneateles High School art teacher, Jessica Sawchuk. “I aim to create something that involves all the senses from viewing art and hearing sounds, to observing nature and eating food. All of these things are what drives artists and musicians and it is essential to the creative process.”
The students in attendance took full advantage of the experiences at their disposal.
"I really loved the opportunity to be part of an immersive experience with the instruments. Is not every day you get to see objects from foreign counties so different from our own, let alone use them,” said SHS 10th grade student, Sophia Cattalani. “I also really enjoyed going out to eat! We don't have really any ethnic food restaurants in Skaneateles so being able to go out for Thai food is really a treat.”
Students were accompanied on the trip by Sawchuk and music teacher, Maureen Van Vechten.
Students attending the trip that are members of National Art Honor Society earned credit for attending. Any students interested in joining the National Art Honor Society or Art Club can stop by the high school’s art rooms to learn more.
Keep in touch with events and happenings in relation to the Skaneateles Central School District by visiting online at www.skanschools.org or following the district’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Skaneateles.Schools.
