It was standing room only in the SAR High School cafeteria as hundreds of students, faculty members and administrators gathered for the first SARts Showcase of the year, peppered with an Election Day theme. Participating artists played instruments, sang and displayed their paintings, drawings, and photography. The energy in the room was electric as the audience members cheered on their friends, colleagues, and teachers.

Staging a showcase the day after a contentious election proved to be opportune timing. As Dorit Katzenelenbogen, SAR’s director of Arts Engagement noted, “At a time when the election sought to highlight our differences, this event reminded us that the arts have the power to unite us, bring us joy, and create a shared space of beauty and connection.”

After the show, the attendees had the opportunity to cast their ballot for the best pie baked by a faculty member and they emerged donning stickers exclaiming, “I Voted for the SARts Showcase!” Regardless of political affiliation, the first SARts Showcase of the year was a win.

Produced by Katzenelenbogen and the talented and hardworking students of the SARts Council, the SARts Showcase is an ongoing series in which student and faculty artists and performers present their work for the wider school community.