The Wall: Montpelier High School
In March 2016, I completed an arts-integrated residency at the Montpelier High School, working with students to understand the concept of The Wall. Together with teachers Katy Chabot, Sarah Squier and Cathy Butterfield, we integrated three core-curriculum subjects; biology, English and history and learnt concepts around biological walls, psychological walls (the Harlem Renaissance) and physical walls (graffitti on separation walls around the globe)–all through the lens of the visual arts. This powerful and thought-provoking residency culminated in a walking installation alongside musical performances (involving biology students, composer Evan Premo, and music-teacher Hilary Goldblatt). We were extremely fortunate to have been joined by solo-percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
Later that week, the cubes created by students formed the stage-set design for Glennie’s performance at the Barre Opera House.
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- Cube construction begins
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- Creating walls for the cubes
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- In production – 150 cubes in total
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- Practicing the wall construction
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- Music teacher Hilary Goldblatt
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- Evelyn demonstrates the waterphone
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- Scene during the high school culminating performance
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- The Walls installation
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- The Walls installation
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- Walls at the Barre Opera House
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- Eric Booth opens the evening’s performance at the Barre Opera House
This project was conceived through the Community Engagement Lab.