“Our mission is to cultivate responsible young artists who ask, ‘How can we serve humanity using the arts?’” said Anisa Skuce-Newell, one of two program directors for the Eaglearts Academy, a summer arts camp which runs from 13 July to 10 August.
Held this year, as it has been for the past six summers, on the Maxwell International School campus, Eaglearts hosts age-specific sessions featuring a variety of arts classes in dance, drama, music, visual art, and video production as well as recreational activities such as yoga, capoeira, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, volleyball, soccer, and cooperative games.
This year 200 youth and children signed up for the two sessions. Over the years, Eaglearts has been host to more than 60 visiting professional arts instructors and 900 youth and children aged 5-17, including visiting students from over 15 different countries.
But in addition to the refinement of their artistic abilities, Eaglearts participants are called to reflect upon their own character development as artists, to examine the needs of today’s emerging global society, and understand how they can personally contribute to a more peaceful and unified vision of the world. Exploration of virtues and character development concepts are woven into every art class, recreational activity, daily community gathering, and arts outing which the young artists participate in.
“Eaglearts has helped me be able to work with people a lot better, and it helped me become better at certain virtues like cleanliness, and being on time. It has taught me that art is the way that everybody can connect physically and spiritually,” said a 14 year old participant this summer.
Program co-founders and co-directors Laura Lee and Anisa Skuce-Newell, both Baha’is, draw special inspiration for the Eaglearts programs from Baha’i writings which emphasize the oneness of humanity, the transformative power of the arts, and the latent potential of every soul. One idea from Baha’i writings that has particularly guided much of the camp’s development work is a quote from … [Abdu’l-Baha] that, “Every child is potentially the light of the world.”
One way this potential is sparked is through daily community gatherings, held each morning and evening. Using short artistic performances, thematic powerpoints, and video clips as catalysts, the youth participants engage in reflective dialogue about such topics as positive decision making, goal setting, service to others, global perspectives, and shifting consciousness using the arts. This summer, the feedback from youth about community gatherings held during the first session has been the most positive in Eaglearts history.
“The morning sessions really showed some interesting ways of using art. The many videos and photos of incredible art really broadened my spectrum of possible art forms. The sessions were very inspiring because the really influenced me to want to make a change in society through art,” wrote one 15 year participant on his feedback sheet.
Another way Eaglearts works to develop character in its artists is through the use of potent images and themes. The theme this summer: “Unity,” is captured by the overarching image of “The Tapestry of Life.” “The idea is that our lives are potentially our greatest work of art and that we are like threads being woven into the larger tapestry of community life. We each have our unique thread to contribute,” said Ms. Laura Lee.
This year youth participants will also have the chance to impact the wider community through the new Eaglearts service component. The visual arts students are scheduled to work with developmentally challenged residents of the Easter Seals camp and members of the Vocal Ensemble with elderly residents of the Acacia Manor home.
With the closing of Maxwell International School this past June, Eaglearts Academy will have to find another location for its activities if it is to continue next summer. But with the Academy’s recent incorporation as an independent non-profit, its directors say this program of character development for young artists will certainly continue to evolve.
To view more pictures of Eaglearts camps past and present, click here.
For slideshows of last summer’s Eaglearts Academy click here:Session 1 (July 15 - 28, 2007)Session 2 (July 30 - August 12, 2007)