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Rhonda Holmes, coordinator for the Community Arts Day and an art teacher at Conway Middle School, said planning has been hectic for the event. “It’s important to give our young people a means to express themselves,” she said.
The Northampton County Cultural Arts Committee will present “The Jazz Cafe’’ as part of the event. Featured will be the “The Poet’s Corner” with literary artist Phillip Shabazz and original poetry performed by middle school students. Plus, the “Expressions” art contest which will feature works of middle school and high school students. “This will give them an avenue and place to display their work,” she said.
Also, there will be a live musical jazz performances from Chowan University
The event will also allow students and community members to meet local artists and find out about how they do their art. Holmes stressed Community Arts Day is not only for students, but also the community as well. “We should support positive things in the community,” she said.
As a teacher, she said she is delighted to have an event like this in the county. “When I was in middle school and growing up, I was able to exhibit my work in similar way as Community Arts Day,” Holmes said. “It affected my life. I am just glad students have this opportunity.”
Shabazz has been in the county for the last two weeks doing workshops for sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Gaston Elementary, Conway Middle School and Northampton County High School West as a writer in residence.
It was funded through a grant from the North Carolina Cultural Arts Grassroots and sponsored by the Northampton County Cultural Arts Committee.
At the event, students will be reading the poetry they wrote.
Shabazz, from Carborro, is a poet, writer and teaching artist.
Northampton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Collier was very impressed with Shabazz and glad students had an opportunity to learn from him. “This is a golden opportunity to bring culture to student,” said Collier, who is also a member of the cultural arts committee.
“Students need to be exposed to more cultural things in life.”
Last Friday, Shabazz spent all day at Northampton County High School-West teaching students about poetry. “I’ve had a really busy week and a good time working with students,” he said.
Shabazz has been doing workshops all over the state for the past 15 years.
He teaches students about rhyme couplets and free verse. He starts with simple couplets. “I tell young people if they can write couplets, they can write anything,” he said. “I give them a jump-start and expose them to possibilities of how to do it.”
Watching students learn something and use it for themselves, he added, makes him happy.
Jemelia Kendall summed up her experience in the workshop. “I can express my words in different ways,” she said.
Khalia Barkley agreed with Kendall. “I can express my feelings using pen and paper,” she said with a smile.
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