Madison Junior High School: Creating Art for a Cause
Madison Junior High School's partnership with CASA for the 2023 When Your Heart Is Broken Make Art With The Pieces Charity Auction is an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their artistic skills and make a difference in the community.
The MJHS Art Club was excited to hear about the CASA team’s re-envisioning efforts and jumped on the opportunity to partner with CASA for this year’s Make Art With The Pieces Event. School leaders and students are excited to be doing their part by creating original art pieces that will be included in their annual auction.
MJHS art students will be working with teacher and artist Eric Phagan to create four original pieces that will be framed and auctioned to benefit CASA. “Our inspiration comes from van Gogh’s Starry Night,” shared Phagan. “Our Art Club painted a mural that was adapted from this piece that is enjoyed in one of our common areas. We will further adapt the concept to incorporate the theme of this year’s event.”
Art education plays an essential role in fostering creativity and critical thinking skills in students. By creating original artwork for the auction, MJHS students are not only promoting the arts but also developing empathy, social responsibility, and community engagement. These skills are crucial for creating a more just and equitable society. The event is a celebration of the community's commitment to creating positive change and supporting the most vulnerable members of society.
“Bella’s talent and dedication to the project are a testament to the creativity and passion of the students at MJHS. ”
Bella Heath | Local Young Artist
Among the students participating in the project is Bella Heath, a Junior at MCHS who interns with Phagan. Shown is a photo of Bella provided by Phagan, which he captured during class as Bella worked on one of her many pieces.
Not only does Phagan’s photo showcase Bella doing what she loves —creating art to share with others, but it captures the passion and drive this young artist and all of Phagan’s art students bring to the project.
Bella's talent and dedication to the project are a testament to the creativity and passion of the students at MJHS. Bella and Phagan’s MJHS art students are excited to contribute their talents to the auction and make a difference in their community. “I’m really looking forward to working on this project,” shared Bella. “It’s not only a chance to create something beautiful but also to support a cause that’s important to me and my school.”
MJHS is planning to have a 5th/6th Grade piece, a 7th/8th Grade piece, a piece created by the members of the Art Club, and finally, one piece that any/all students can contribute to. “Our goal is to get as many students as possible involved in this project!” Phagan continued. “We want our community to support our incredible partners, as well as see the talent of our students at MJHS.
“.....It builds them up so that they can feel safe, loved, and ready to learn…that aligns perfectly with our mission and values at MJHS.”
MJHS Principal Dan Grill expressed his excitement for the partnership with CASA, saying, “This year’s theme, When Your Heart Is Broken, Make Art With The Pieces, is something we embrace and strive for every day with our students. The work CASA does is so very important for the children and families of our community. It builds them up so that they can feel safe, loved, and ready to learn…that aligns perfectly with our mission and values at MJHS.”
Whitney Roberts, Executive Director of CASA Jefferson County, also shared her enthusiasm for the event, stating, "The re-envisioned auction falls right in line with everything else I’ve re-imagined over the past year. Excellent advocacy, excellent support, and an unforgettable event. Everything about this year's auction is a step up from anything we've ever done before, and is the only event where the room is full of our community members whose sole purpose is to support the work our volunteers are doing. We also need our community members to show up to continue inspiring our volunteers and reminding them that the work they do is invaluable. CASA's are the keeper of a child's story."
Overall, Madison Junior High School's partnership with CASA for the 2023 When Your Heart Is Broken, Make Art With The Pieces Charity Auction is a testament to the power of community engagement and the role of art in promoting empathy and social responsibility. The event is an opportunity for students to showcase their artistic abilities while contributing to a worthy cause. All net proceeds from the auction will be used to recruit, train, and support volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in Jefferson County. It's a chance for the community to come together, celebrate their commitment to positive change, and support the most vulnerable members of society.
