The Kentucky Center Governor's School for the Arts

GSA Daily:

Monday, June 19th, 2006

Rainy skies greeted the first day of class at GSA, but they placed no damper on the 218 students ready and rarrin' to dive into work. High spirits were first sensed at an unusually energetic breakfast, after which everyone crossed the street for the inaugural morning announcements session. Students viewed the first of three parts of a GSA tradition, "Personal Geography," in which faculty from all disciplnes share not only their art, but also their individual thoughts on what must be accomplished and overcome in order to truly become an "artist." The program featured everything from a Rachmaninoff piano concerto to clay animation, to the thought process behind home restoration, leaving the auditorium impressed by the faculty's talent, and inspired by their personal motivations.

Creative Writing students scribble away in response to a prompt from an instructor.

After a morning dose of viewing art, it was time to create some! Each discpline dispersed to its space to settle into the schedule of a normal GSA day (which, many found, is not very normal at all!). Pencils scratched, feet shuffled to the first few eight counts of choreography, and scales could be heard echoing down the corridors of the Mitchell Fine Arts Building. Entertainment was voluntarily provided at lunch via showtunes from a group of Musical Theatre students, and the public humilation of GSA's first two birthday "victims."

The real fun, however, came with the evening performance presented by the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra (DOJO for short). Students were blown away by their smooth big band sound, swaying and snapping in their seats (and towards the end, even dancing in the aisles) to numbers such as "Take It Easy" and a "jazzical" arrangement of "My Old Kentucky Home."

Dance students work as a large group for the first of many times. Later in the day, each student presented a self-choreographed dance representing him/herself.

Once back in Forrer Hall, R.A. groups spent the end of a long day having a little fun by getting to know one another more through games and movement. The night ended on a note of safety as students participated in their first fire drill, and by the time GSA rested its head on the pillow, there was no challenge to slip into a good night's rest.

Drama students ponder methods of expression during a group exercise led by faculty member Tim Soulis.

An annual GSA favorite, this year DOJO incorporated vocals into their big band sound.

A member of DOJO tickles the ivories to warm-up as GSA Director Heather Weston Bell prepares to introduce the group in the background.

With no time to lose, private lessons commence just as classes do.

Instrumental Music faculty member Rebecca Kiekenapp plays a transcription of Faure's "Apres Un Reve" during "Personal Geography Part I."

A group of visual artists chill out with their supplies before entering their studio space.

GSA Question of the Day
What about GSA excites you the most?
"Being surrounded by everyone who is in the arts!" -Ben Goodwin, Instrumental Music, Owensboro	"How many young and talented artists there are here that are going to come together and make even greater art." -Hank Knight, R.A., Louisville	"The whole experience...meeting new people, learning from new instructors...just learning a lot more." -Sisa Hobson, Instrumental Music, Owensboro
What inspires you as an artist?
"My passion for dance, and inspiration from my teacher who instills that passion in me." -Rebecca Deery, Dance, Lexington	"All of the stories I've heard, and how the plot goes along...how each character is portrayed. When I do art, I emphasize a different part of the story than you would think of." -Nora Weston, Visual Art, Danville	"My belief in God." -Matt Cessna, Vocal Music, Wilmore

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