Youth Arts Day & Music Fest

Deadline: February 12th for Student Submissions

2010 Clean-Up & Green-Up Poster Contest

Wonderful Scholarship Opportunity for High School Senior involved in the arts!!

Deadline: February 1, 2010

Arts for Life! ScholarshipThe Foundation for Excellence in Education is accepting applications for the Arts for Life! scholarship from graduating high school seniors for their outstanding achievement in the arts. To be considered for the scholarship, public, private or home education program students must submit a completed application, a brief essay explaining “How the arts have positively influenced my life,” and a sample of their work in creative writing, dance, drama, music or visual arts. Each of the 25 winners will receive a $1,000 cash scholarship toward their pursuit of the arts in higher education, and have an opportunity to showcase their arts discipline through performance and exhibition at a luncheon in their honor. The deadline to submit an application is Feb. 1, 2010. Contact the Foundation for Excellence in Education at (850) 391-4090 or visit http://www.excelined.org/ for more information.

Participation in the Cultural Passport Program

On behalf of Mr. Alberto M. Carvalho, Superintendent of Schools:

Congratulations! Felix Varela and feeder pattern have been selected to pilot the Cultural Passport Program, a new educational initiative which will provide all students, grades K-12, with a different cultural field experience each school year. Every student will visit museums and art galleries, and experience live musical, theatrical, and dance performances throughout the course of their education. To ensure a well-rounded experience for all students, a different cultural theme or focus will be designated for each grade level; e.g., music, theatre, art, dance.

Art Basel Reflection by Sasha Perez

This year was my first time attending Art Basel and surely it will not be my last. I enjoyed so much all the different types of works I saw. I was almost like a child on Christmas morning, just waiting to be surprised by the next present I opened. Anything and everything a person could possibly think of, was in Art Basel. It was even like a maze you coulnd't help but get lost into, one second you were walking and seeing the work of Botero, and then the next-Warhol. Especially seeing an actual Andy Warhol piece was absolutely like being in heaven-maybe not quite. Some artist even surprised me with their works, showing ideas many would probalby not even think of using in a piece of art. It was great learning experience, one that I will take with me and learn from. Now all I can do is wait and get ready to be blown away by the next Art Basel. Woohoo!

-Sasha Perez, 12th grade

VIPER wins at Orange Bowl FedEx Contest

Dillon Shah, student at Felix Varela senior High School is the GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the Orange Bowl Creative Arts Contest. Dillon has won a $1,000 Savings Bond, two tickets to the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl game at land Shark Stadium, recognition during on-field presentation at the 2010 Orange Bowl and FREE Burritos from Chipolte Grill for one year.

The artwork will be featured in a full page ad in the FedEx Orange Bowl game program !

Congrats to Dillon and the Visual Arts department

GO VIPERS !!!!!

Art Basel Experience by Karla Martinez

My experience at Art Basel was like no other, it taught me a lot about the art world and what it is they are looking for. It taught me to limit myself less and be more free and creative with my own artwork. It definitely pushed me to work harder and not give up my dream to pursue a career in the arts. Art Basel was the first art exhibition I had attended and honestly I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way, they had a variety of different things to see. Some were simple but still great in their own way while others were complex and just overwhelming. I am definitely looking forward for Art Basel next year; it is an event I will not miss and really can’t wait.

-Karla Martinez, 12th grade

Art Basel Reflection

My Experience at the Art Basel was one of the most thrilling experiences. As soon as I walked into the exhibit I became very intrigued and anxious to get to the artwork and the famous pieces. I was very lucky to see an Andy Warhol piece hanging in one of the galleries. Many of the Art pieces made me very curious of what the artist was thinking when they were in the process of making it. I liked the diversity of all the pieces in the museum. Most of the pieces inspired me to really practice more of my art work and I got numerous ideas from all of the artwork. I truly enjoyed my visit at the Art Basel and plan on going next year as well.

- Sayleen 12th grade

Dali Museum Field Trip...

On Thursday, January 28, 2010, Felix Varela Art Appreciation, Art Club and 4th year art students will be venturing to St. Petersburg, FL to the Dali Museum. Cost per student is $28. Please remember to turn in your payment with your signed field trip form to Mrs. Haibi Figuera in room 327.

The museum has asked the students to please abide by the following rules:

? Group tours are not private. We cannot prevent members of the general public from joining.
? One volunteer docent will be scheduled per group. Your docent can only be guaranteed at the scheduled tour time indicated .

? Group tours consist of 10 or more students. Groups of 50 or more will be given a lower gallery tour lasting 30-45 minutes.
? Food, Beverages, and Backpacks are not allowed in the museum. They must be left in your bus or vehicle.
? All cell phones must be turned off while in the gallery.

Please feel free to visit the Dali Museum web site: http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org/

Art Basel Reflection by Kristina Camara

I recently had the priveledge of attending Art Basel at the Miami Beach Convention Center, and it was an extremely inspiring experience to say the least. Before I even got to see any of the pieces, I made sure to keep an open mind about what I was soon to be exposed to. I was surprised to discover the many different forms of media and drastic varieties the artists used to create their pieces -- although most artists stuck to one media throughout their compliations, there was no monotony whatsoever throughout the entire exhibition. From elaborate 3-D pieces of artwork that consisted of things such as moving, talking and singing heads to a compilation of random work such as organized scribbles and scratchwork, nothing I laid eyes upon was underestimated or undervalued. The creativity within the walls of Art Basel was overwhelming; aside from feeling inspired, I was actually rather disappointed that I wasn't allowed to bring neither a sketchbook or camera to keep the artwork I had admired in something other than just my memory.
Visiting Art Basel made me desire nothing more than to grow as an artist. With new ideas in mind, I have gained the realization that potential for artwork lies is any form of creation: as long as I consider it complete, it could be considered "art," even if only in my own eyes.

-Kristina Camara, 12th grade