MONROE - The Fine Arts Festival brought a fresh perspective on art to Monroe High School on Thursday, and the event will continue today.
When the Fine Arts Program was created 30 years ago, it began as way for students to express themselves artistically outside the school's set academic programs.
"It gives opportunities to student they don't have in their curriculum," said Kathy King, the art department head at Monroe High School, and co-coordinator of Fine Arts Festival.
The festival showcases primarily art students and their work - but offers activities for the entire school and community to enjoy.
This year's theme was "Get Tangled Up in Art." More than 40 individuals or companies are showcasing different activities at the two-day event, held throughout the school day.
Actives included: a Comedy Sports workshop; a Zumba dance workout; a cake decorating, hands-on workshop; and Quest Industrial gave a robotics tour and demonstration.
Students were able to pick up tickets for the events they wanted to attend each school hour, and community members were allowed to pick up tickets afterward. The event is free.
This year's event cost about $10,000 to produce, which was funded by memorials and donations.
"I can't say enough how wonderful and supportive the community is," said Gail Eiserman, family and consumer sciences teacher, and co-coordinator of the Fine Arts Festival.
The festival is giving back to the community as well, organizers say. The Empty Bowl Dinner Thursday night raised money for the Monroe Food Pantry.
For $10, participants received a soup supper, served in a unique bowl arts students designed. A family of two could purchase a family bowl, which is a larger, decorative bowl.
A silent auction was held during the dinner, where "super bowls" were auctioned. Super bowls were also decorated by students but were much larger.
The festival, held every other year, was started by Walter Pawlowski and Al Stauffacher in the 1970s.
When the Fine Arts Program was created 30 years ago, it began as way for students to express themselves artistically outside the school's set academic programs.
"It gives opportunities to student they don't have in their curriculum," said Kathy King, the art department head at Monroe High School, and co-coordinator of Fine Arts Festival.
The festival showcases primarily art students and their work - but offers activities for the entire school and community to enjoy.
This year's theme was "Get Tangled Up in Art." More than 40 individuals or companies are showcasing different activities at the two-day event, held throughout the school day.
Actives included: a Comedy Sports workshop; a Zumba dance workout; a cake decorating, hands-on workshop; and Quest Industrial gave a robotics tour and demonstration.
Students were able to pick up tickets for the events they wanted to attend each school hour, and community members were allowed to pick up tickets afterward. The event is free.
This year's event cost about $10,000 to produce, which was funded by memorials and donations.
"I can't say enough how wonderful and supportive the community is," said Gail Eiserman, family and consumer sciences teacher, and co-coordinator of the Fine Arts Festival.
The festival is giving back to the community as well, organizers say. The Empty Bowl Dinner Thursday night raised money for the Monroe Food Pantry.
For $10, participants received a soup supper, served in a unique bowl arts students designed. A family of two could purchase a family bowl, which is a larger, decorative bowl.
A silent auction was held during the dinner, where "super bowls" were auctioned. Super bowls were also decorated by students but were much larger.
The festival, held every other year, was started by Walter Pawlowski and Al Stauffacher in the 1970s.