Rain Can't Dampen Arts Smorgasbord: Fifth Annual Mayfest on Tap

A smorgasbord of arts – including a walking tour of performances and a faculty and staff art exhibit – is on tap for this weekend as our school community once again celebrates Mayfest.

This annual two-day celebration of the arts has become yet another tradition at Hamden Hall. Mayfest 2018 marks the fifth year that students and faculty will showcase their talents and prowess in both the visual and performing arts.

Starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 18, Upper School students and their parents are invited to the main campus to enjoy a visual arts open studio and a faculty and staff art exhibit in the Moira Fitzsimmons Arons Art Gallery. The open studio, located in the Upper and Middle School Art Studio and hosted by art teachers Caryn Azoff and Shayna Segal, will feature students’ finished works as well as works-in-progress. Digital photography videos will also be available to view.
The faculty and staff art exhibit, Defining Art Through Personal Meaning, is an assemblage of various media including photographs, essays, paintings, and more.

A walking tour of performances will also take place on campus. Stroll past monologues, skits, musical performances, and more, on your way to the Taylor Performing Arts Center for a staged performance at 7:30 p.m.

Seniors Charley Tiernan and Yoni Hirshfield star in A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters” with Tait Brencher directing.

“The wide variety of work displayed in this evening of events will leave you laughing, crying, and celebrating the wealth of talent and commitment we enjoy on campus,” said Upper School Dean of Students John Greenawalt.

Despite the weather forecast for Saturday, the outdoor music festival will still take place – just in a different location! Taylor Gym will be rocking from noon to 3 p.m. with offerings as diverse as Toxic Holiday, the Dom Funk Band, and the Hamden Hall Jazz Band.

Music aficionados can still bring blankets to set out in front of the stage in order to “bask in the tunes.” Food vendors will be on site as will a variety of clubs and student-run businesses. Other attractions include face painting, a photo booth, and more.

“We generally celebrate the arts here one event at a time via plays, art openings, Coffee Houses, and more, but Mayfest gives our community an opportunity to see a little bit of everything all in one weekend,” explained Mr. Greenawalt. “We have so many talented students and they deserve our support, both from their classmates and the larger community.”