By Michelle Shocked & David Willardson

Students and their families were treated to an extravagant feast of visual arts, music, dance, and culture at one city school’s first ever “Afternoon with the Arts.” Seth Haley’s students and staff were treated to a program that featured a variety of art genres.

Choral and instrumental programs were prepared by the schools music instructors, Arthur Bellucci and Angelo Vessichio, and performed by the students. Patrons experienced Jazz, Hip-Hop, and cultural dance performances by local dance companies. Students and parents joined in during an elaborate African drum ceremony that displayed cultural dance and music.

During intermission, the Seth Haley PTA hosted a buffet of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, featuring a display of punch fountains and bouquets from Edible Arrangements. Parents viewed a beautiful gallery of collaborative artwork created by the students while a local guitarist played a variety of music pieces. Ellen. Seipold, the art instructor, engaged children with a progressive art project to be displayed in the school while Kathy Card of KCK Art Galleries in West Haven led the children in an art project.

The event ended with a special appearance and performance from singer songwriter Michelle Shocked and the talented former Disney Visual Artist and now-fine artist David Willardson. Shocked has sold more than 2 million albums during her career and is still touring worldwide. Willardson enjoyed a 17-year career working for Disney and working on primarily Disney movie posters, working on such projects as Raiders of the Lost Ark, American Graffiti, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and a plethora of movies for Disney, such as, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Lion King and has now turned his paint brushes to the fine arts.

Willardson spoke to parents and students about his life journey. He told the children that he knew that he wanted to be an artist when he was just five years old. He spoke to the children and told them that if they like to draw, they need to “practice, practice, practice”! After drawing several Disney characters, which will be framed and put on display in the school, and answering questions from several aspiring artists in the audience he introduced the “love of his life,” singer/songwriter, Michele Shocked.

After she wowed the audience with several songs she had the children join in for some dancing and instrumental accompaniment. Willardson has a website: www.davidwillardson.com. Shocked also has a website: www.michelleshocked.com.

When asked how many workshops and concert that they have done in elementary schools, Willardson had a wry reply.

“I have not been in an elementary school since elementary school,” he said.

“Art is an important part of a child’s educational experience. As parents and educators of the Seth Haley PTA we understand that it is our job to make sure that children have the opportunity to experience art, to understand how art has touched our cultural heritage, and to teach children that they can be a part of art in many ways from simple appreciation and enjoyment of others work, to using it as an outlet of expression, or even choosing it as the labor of their life”, said Principal Ronald Stancil, Sr.

“This event was truly spectacular and memorable event for our students, parents, faculty and staff. Our school community witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime event -- until next year,” Stancil said.