Pasadena Unified Celebrates National Arts Education Month

In celebration of National Arts Education Month in March, the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) is highlighting student creativity all month. Festivities kick off Feb. 26, 2016, with the opening of the No Boundaries 11 student art exhibition. Activities include the All-District Elementary and Secondary Music Festivals and PUSD’s participation in ArtNight Pasadena. All events are free and open to the public.

Now in its 11th year, No Boundaries 11 is the exhibition of student visual and performing art in PUSD and is a part of the district’s ongoing commitment to provide a platform for young artists. The exhibit features more than 400 pieces of two and three-dimensional student art from every school in the district. The title No Boundaries refers to the exhibit’s objective of showcasing student artwork without limits in size or media, as well as the unlimited creative potential of students in PUSD.

“The Pasadena Unified School District celebrates art in March with students, parents, teachers and the community, and represents the robust art program that is part our year-round K-12 curriculum,” said Superintendent Brian McDonald, Ed.D. “Through a generous partnership with the Pasadena Educational Foundation and others, PUSD students benefit from a rich array of cultural art experiences designed to inspire creativity and critical thinking, and enhances the overall academic experience of our students.”

The exhibition will be held at 345 S. Lake Avenue, at The Shops on Lake Feb. 26 – March 11, 2016. The opening reception for No Boundaries 11 is Friday, Feb. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. with live performances and appearances by young musicians and artists. Gallery hours through March 11 are Monday – Friday 3–6 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday 1–4 p.m.

PUSD is also an official partner of ArtNight Pasadena to be held on Friday, March 11. No Boundaries 11 will be a shuttle stop during the citywide free evening of art, music and entertainment as Pasadena’s most prominent arts and cultural institutions swing open their doors. Student and PUSD faculty musicians will perform in the No Boundaries 11 gallery.

The exceptional talents of young musicians in PUSD’s vibrant music program will take the stage in March and April with the annual All-District Spring Music Festivals. More than 1,000 students in band, orchestra, and choir will perform at the festivals. The concerts will feature guest conductors from the Pasadena Master Chorale, the Pasadena City College music program, and PUSD’s own music instructors.

The All-District Secondary Music Festival – Choral will be held March 3 at 7 p.m. at Marshall Fundamental Secondary School. The All-District Secondary Festival – Band & Orchestra will be held March 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Pasadena High School.

The All-District Elementary Music Festival showcases the abilities of hundreds of younger musicians from elementary schools, whose performances will include an honor band, honor orchestra, and a beginning string orchestra. The All-District Elementary Music Festival is Thursday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. at Eliot Arts Magnet Academy.

For more information about PUSD’s arts initiatives, visit facebook.com/pusdarts or call (626) 396-3600, ext: 88129.

NO BOUNDARIES 11
Location: The Shops on Lake, 345 South Lake Ave., Pasadena
Dates and Times: Exhibition will be on view from Feb. 26 – March 11, 2016
Opening Reception: Friday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m.– 9 p.m.
ArtNight Pasadena: Friday, March 11, 6 p.m.–10 p.m.
Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday, 3 p.m.– 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m.– 4 p.m.

ALL-DISTRICT MUSIC FESTIVAL – CHORAL
Location: Marshall Fundamental, 990 N. Allen Ave., Pasadena
Day and Time: Thursday, March 3, 2016, 7 p.m.

ALL-DISTRICT MUSIC FESTIVAL – BAND & ORCHESTRA
Location: Pasadena High School, 2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena
Day and Time: Friday, March 4, 2016, 7 p.m.

ALL-DISTRICT ELEMENTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Location: Eliot Arts Middle School, 2184 N. Lake Ave, Altadena
Day and Time: Thursday, April 7, 2016, 6:30 p.m.

Stay connected to the Pasadena Unified School District! Visit us online at www.pusd.us; follow us on Twitter @PasadenaUnified, www.twitter.com/PasadenaUnified; like PUSD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PasadenaUnifiedSchoolDistrict; text PUSD to 888777; and subscribe to PUSD’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/klrnpasadena. Or call the Communications Office, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at (626) 396-3606.

“Our Children. Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.”