PUSD “No Boundaries” exhibit (Photo – Jennifer Lee)
“There are no boundaries, only possibilities,” said Karen Anderson, the Arts & Enrichment Coordinator for the Pasadena Unified School District.
By Jennifer Hall Lee
She spoke those words last night at opening night for “No Boundaries,” the 17th annual art exhibition by the PUSD presented in conjunction with ArtNight Pasadena. The weather was balmy and the musical performances by PUSD students were electric. It was a night to remember.
Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald spoke warmly of the partnerships that enabled this spectacular show. “There are over 300 pieces of art displayed by our students from K-12” throughout the district and “curated by the students at Rose City High School with support from professional artists from Side Street Projects. He thanked the “City of Pasadena’s Division of Cultural Affairs, the Pasadena Educational Foundation, Art Night Pasadena and the Paseo for working alongside us.”
The students at Rose City examined student submissions from all over the district through an aesthetic lens and then identified themes that informed curatorial decisions about placement and presentation.
The art pieces were juried by the City of Pasadena Arts & Culture Commissioners; 45 pieces were selected for Bridging Boundaries, and will be seen in 50 different bus shelters across Pasadena. The Armory Center for the Arts and the ArtCenter also select student artists from the exhibition to provide scholarships for classes.
The live performances drew the large crowd together. Excerpts from You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown from Octavia E. Butler Magnet Academy and Matilda from Marshall Fundamental Secondary School were so impressive and I could clearly see future Broadway performers.
The kids from Sierra Madre Middle School rocked with songs such as Creep and Teen Spirit.
Jazz bands from Blair and John Muir High School were masterfully conducted by impressive music directors.
If there was a roof at the Paseo it would have levitated. This is the PUSD, one of the first districts to make the Declaration for Equity in Arts Education in California
At the end of the night, under a starry sky, the PUSD music staff, calling themselves “The Staff Lounge” played songs for us, and Karen Anderson herself sang Blue Skies by Irving Berlin. A poignant tune that reflects the mood of the evening and gives a nod to the future of the PUSD.
Blue skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see
Gallery Hours - Through May 8, 2022 Mon - Fri: 3 - 6 pm Sat – Sun: 1 - 4 pm Location: The Paseo 300 E. Colorado St., Suite 151, Downtown Pasadena Free Admission
Viewing the show (Photo – Jennifer Lee)
Opening night at ArtNight (Photo – Jennifer Lee)
At opening night (Photo – Jennifer Lee)
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