From Cecilia Martini-Muth for the Lobero Theatre Foundation. Reprinted from Noozhawk [original article]
The Visual Arts & Design Academy (VADA) at Santa Barbara High School will be hosting a virtual art show, projecting student artwork on the north-facing rear wall of the Lobero Theatre, 6-8 p.m., Friday-Sunday, Feb. 5-7.
“The Lobero Theatre is a wonderful arts venue upon which to project our students’ creative work, and it will allow their friends, families and the general public to view the show in a safe and socially-distanced manner,” said Daniel Barnett, VADA program director and art instructor. “Because of COVID, we haven’t been able to showcase students’ art as we do normally.
"We are grateful to the Lobero Theatre Foundation and the city of Santa Barbara for supporting our academy in this creative way during a school year that has been so challenging for students and faculty alike.”
The VADA Projected Student Art Show will be visible from the north side of the building, at 33 E. Canon Perdido St., from Anacapa Street, and the surrounding sidewalks, where Carrillo Street crosses Anacapa Street.
“We jumped at the opportunity to help our local high school and support the arts in a unique and creative way during the pandemic,” said Marianne Clark, administrative director of the Lobero Theatre Foundation.
“This projection project with VADA is very much in alignment with our mission to maintain the Lobero as a cultural asset to the community of Santa Barbara, while presenting the highest quality artistic productions to the people of Santa Barbara,” she said.
In addition to being the closest parking structure to the Lobero, the upper level of city Parking Lot 9, located just north of the theater with an entrance on Anacapa Street, also serves as a vantage point for viewing the projected art show.
“We’ve been wanting to do this on the Lobero for a long time,” said Kym Cochran, a local video projection artist who, alongside partner and fellow projection artist Jonathan Smith, will be projecting the students’ artwork on the rear wall of the theater.
“Jon and I are excited to help VADA and the community by presenting a show that is larger than life, but also safe and socially responsible,” Cochran said.
“VADA’s mission is to enable students to achieve their highest potential and professional readiness by cultivating today’s most sought-after job skills," Barnett said. "Complex problem-solving, critical-thinking, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and cognitive flexibility are all purposefully developed within the VADA curriculum."
Due to current rates of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization in the area, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department prohibits gatherings of people from different households. While enjoying the VADA Projected Student Art Show, viewers are reminded to wear masks, stay six feet apart, and avoid congregating with others who are not members of their household.
Established in 1999, VADA is a small learning community at Santa Barbara High School with 225 high school students. VADA has served more than 1,200 high school students. To donate to the academy’s Annual Campaign, Give from the ‘Art, https://vadasbhs.networkforgood.com/.