Booker Middle School’s VPA Program Opens Doors for FUNraiser Event

Everyone who steps foot in the Booker Middle Visual and Performing Arts classrooms says how much they would love to be a part of the arts education experience: “I wish I could come do this!” they say.  Well now is their chance!  During the fun-filled Masterclass FUNraiser event parents and community members are invited to experience Booker Middle VPA’s arts classes first-hand as they participate in visual and performing arts master classes taught by the program’s Visual and Performing Arts Magnet faculty.  From seasoned professionals to total amateurs, all experience levels are certain to have a blast at this celebration of art and community benefiting students across Sarasota county.

On March 30th, 2019, participants will attend two pre-selected fun-filled arts classes to enjoy, then will come together for a reception that includes entertainment and refreshments.  The event will feature arts experiences, student performances, a silent auction, and collaborations with some of our community partners.  Arts class offerings include 2D/3D Art, Band, Chorus, Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Graphic Design, Guitar, Musical Theatre, and Orchestra. 

“We are hoping to engage our Booker Middle community, our arts community, and the community at large with this celebration.” said BMS Arts Coordinator Savannah Holds, “The goals of the event, in order of importance, are: to have fun, to engage the community in a hands-on shared experience, and to raise money to support our exceptional arts education programs.”

Booker Middle School VPA is a visual and performing arts magnet program dedicated to identifying highly interested and talented students and providing them with an enriched, culturally diverse, and technology-infused arts education ultimately developing lifelong consumers and producers of the arts.  In addition to their general education classes, the over 300 VPA students participate in up to two creative arts classes as part of their daily academic schedule.  The Booker Middle VPA program creates tremendous opportunities both for students who would otherwise be unable to participate in such a high-level arts education and for student who come from across 3 counties to take advantage of the intensive program.  This creates a melting pot of students, ethnicities, experience levels, and socio-economic backgrounds making the program and the school shine and creating an environment of creativity, diversity, and acceptance. 

“Our theme for the 2018-2019 school year is ‘Know Thy Impact.’  This is a great way to explore the impact of arts education and have a fabulous time doing it.  We hope our parents, partners, and friends we haven’t met yet will consider attending and discovering what their impact really is,” said BMS Principal Dr. LaShawn Frost, who the district recently named Sarasota County Principal of the Year 2019.

Individual tickets are available for a suggested donation.  Entire classes may be reserved for groups who would like a more personalized experience. For more information, email bookermiddlevpa@gmail.com or visit www.bookermiddleschoolvpa.weebly.com/fundraiser.