WINTER HAVEN — The best of Polk County Public Schools’ student visual and performing arts will be on display this weekend in Winter Haven during the PCPS annual Fine Arts Festival.
The event will also play host to concerts at Chain of Lakes baseball stadium scheduled for Friday evening and throughout the day Saturday, along with a visual art show set for Central Park from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday.
“We feel like the arts are such a vital part of a students’ education in normal time, but during a pandemic they are particularly important, so we are celebrating the arts this weekend,” said Beth Cummings, director of PCPS fine arts department. “It is just a celebration of the hard work our students put together and our teachers in the classroom. The arts are strong in Polk County. We’ve always had great support.”
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Student artwork will be showcased in the elementary, middle and high school categories, with awards presented for first, second and third places at each level.
“I’m so excited!” said Nancy Puri, PCPS senior coordinator for visual arts. “I’m thrilled that we are able to do this Fine Arts Festival in person with social distancing and safety measures in place so we can get out the great work that kids and teachers are doing.”
One difference this year is that the elementary school artwork will be displayed with their older peers. In past years, they have had their own show in May for 5th graders’ work and it has been held indoors.
Puri said this year, Alex Rich, director of the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College and art history department chairman, will be judging the artwork.
“You won’t find anyone more competent than or with more experience than Dr. Rich,” Puri said. “We’re just thrilled. It’s going to be a great day and great weather.”
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The weather in the morning is expected to be in the 60s, but sizzle in the afternoon, with a high of 90 degrees.
The award ceremony will take place at 2 p.m., but students do not have to be present for it, Puri said.
The event wraps up Saturday evening at Chain of Lakes Stadium, with the All-County Orchestra concert scheduled for 5 p.m. and the All-County Band performance set for 7 p.m.
All events are free and open to the public. Students and the public will be required to social distance and wear masks.
Ledger reporter Kimberly C. Moore can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7514. Follow her on Twitter at @KMooreTheLedger.
If you go:
Performing arts schedule
Winter Haven Chain of Lakes complex
- Friday, April 9, 7 p.m. Elementary Showcase followed by All-County Jazz Band
- Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m. All-County Chorus
- 5 p.m. All-County Orchestra
- 7 p.m. All-County Band
Visual arts schedule
- Saturday, April 10, 8 a.m. 3 p.m.
- Elementary, Middle, and High School arts