The creativity and talents of Yavneh Academy’s students were on full display on Thursday night, May 13, at the third annual Evening of the Arts, sponsored by the Judah Marans Music and Arts Center. The evening began with an introductory message by Yavneh’s art and music teachers, Malky Kazam and Marsha Motzen, welcoming the community and outlining the event. Attendees entered a gallery museum where they were free to explore hundreds of works of art from students in grades one through six. The students chose which artwork they wanted featured. In coordination with Artome, a fundraising company for the arts, parents were able to purchase their child’s artwork matted and professionally framed with a portion of the proceeds going toward Yavneh’s arts program. The exhibited artwork showcased Yavneh’s extensive art curriculum, including learning about Israeli artists such as, Menashe Kadishman, to contemporary street artists such as Kelsey Montague and Chris Uphues, to integrating with the general studies curricula via the drawing of astronauts in outer space and cityscapes to complement the study of communities. The students’ work highlighted their study of the elements of art and skill development.

The musical performances by Yavneh students were varied in musical genre, and representative of the entire student body, from gan to eighth grade. It was heartening to know that even in this most unusual year, with ensembles on hiatus, students were still involved musically, taking lessons and practicing their instruments.