The stage is set, the paintings are hung, and Poly Prep’s halls are alive with creativity. Every year, as Poly nears the end of its first semester, students’ talents are put on display during the Winter Arts Showcase. From the Concert Choirs’ rendition of “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King to the Advanced Drawing and Painting Portfolio’s works decorating the wall of Poly’s art center, the work of Poly’s artists came together in a culmination of imagination for this year’s Winter Arts Showcase.
An annual winter art event at Poly dates back to the 1900s. While it wasn’t precisely called the “Winter Arts Showcase,” it has been around since the 1920s, according to a Polygon article published on December 7, 1920. Since its inception, it has been a staple of Poly’s arts curriculum and a testament to students’ hard work, expression, and creativity. “The event is an incredible opportunity to see student achievements in the arts across divisions and disciplines. It is a phenomenal demonstration of learning. I’m always proud of the maturity, creativity, and thoughtfulness that students express in their visual artworks and within the emotionally rich, embodied performances shared in the concert.” said Michael Robinson, the Head of the Art Department at Poly. The students feel the same way. “I know I enjoy seeing my art up on the walls; I think it’s a nice way for people to see that level of creativity coming from someone they may have never spoken to. For me, it’s also lovely to see what other people have done as well, how their art may be different. It shows a great variety in how people express themselves through art,” said Parsa Aghazadeh ’25. The variety in art, both visual and vocal, is certainly enticing. While Tchaikovsky and Bill Withers definitely never met in person, they shared a stage at Poly this year!
With well-known academic and athletic programs, the strength of Poly’s arts programs can sometimes be overlooked. The Winter Arts Showcase is a chance to highlight students’ impressive work in all areas of the arts. “It’s exciting when you walk through Poly, and almost every hallway, especially on the main floor, is filled with art in different mediums that address different ideas and issues. Our hope is that people on the inside and the outside see that, while Poly does have a very strong athletics program, students are engaged, strengthening their skills and their interests in the arts as well,” said Laura Coppola, the Chair of the Visual Arts Department.
The importance of Poly’s arts programs extends beyond individual student achievement. There is evidence that art has positive effects on students’ entire educational experience. According to a study conducted by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research in Houston public schools, “increases in students’ arts learning experiences significantly improve educational outcomes. Fostering and supporting these experiences lead to improvements in student discipline, writing achievement, and compassion for others.” Poly’s art department recognizes that fostering student creativity is a key part of a great education experience. “A lot of times, people perceive art as a hobby, but the people who are part of the department and people who have dedicated their professional and academic careers to the arts feel that it’s a form of creative expression,” said Coppola when asked about the importance of art as a whole. Events like the Winter Showcase recognize the importance of art in education and demonstrate Poly’s broad and strong commitment to student achievement.
While there are no flashy lights or set design, the Winter Arts Showcase is still a demanding event. “We’re a busy campus full of activities, so getting such a large percentage of students in each division and their families to share in this annual event is a big undertaking, especially with afternoon rehearsals and sports commitments,” said Robinson. With such an event comes a significant amount of preparation from everybody involved. Every art class builds towards the winter performance from the start of the school year. “The choir practices every class, and there were some big rehearsals closer to the date. Blue Notes would practice during clubs, and we would stay late to rehearse,” said Leo Mullin ’25, a Blue Notes and Advanced Concert Choir member. These student’s dedication had the opportunity to shine at the winter concert, the final culmination of student’s hard work during an entire semester.
“It is a great Poly tradition, a festive sendoff before winter break,” said Mullin. As one year ends and another begins, Poly students love sharing their work with their community.
