Arts-X-Press Returns for In-Person Summer Sessions
Pacific Symphony’s summer arts immersion program is back in-person this summer! We invite young artists and creative thinkers to join us for a week of arts exploration, creative expression, friendships, and summer fun! Designed for students going into 7th and 8th grade, arts-X-press has modified its program this summer to operate under COVID safety protocols. Campers from across Orange County will come together at Concordia University Irvine where they will immerse themselves in process-based arts workshops, express themselves creatively, collaborate with peers and take in performances tailored for our arts-X-press community. Students will live and eat meals on campus, see performances in Concordia’s outdoor amphitheater and have access to top-of-the line arts spaces.
“I am excited to announce that, thanks to our strong partnership with Concordia University Irvine, we are planning to hold arts-X-press, our summer arts immersion program for middle school students, in-person this summer. As we reconfigure the program to be in-line with COVID safety protocols, we are also looking forward to the magic of being back together with our arts-X-press community.”
Alison Levinson, Pacific Symphony’s director of arts engagement
Last year, due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, the highly successful arts-X-press rebranded to AXP@Home, a collection of virtual artistic experiences meaningfully curated for middle-school students. Since last summer, the arts-X-press team has continued to build its community of artists by virtually convening alumni and students through monthly workshops, each focused on a different arts-X-press value. Session 1 takes place July 11-16; Session 2 takes place July 18-23. Applications are due May 25, and can be found on our website here.
Founded by Music Director Carl St.Clair in remembrance of his and wife Susan’s son, Cole Carsan St.Clair, the innovative and multidisciplinary arts-X-press program allows students to test the boundaries of their creativity in an overnight summer camp, where no artistic risk is too intimidating to explore. Reflective of how many artistic disciplines influenced his own creative development (not just music), Maestro St.Clair’s philosophy is the driving force behind the program. Aligned with his vision for encouraging love of the arts, arts-X-press is designed for students to gain a lifelong connection to the arts and to foster respect for each student’s individuality, interests and diverse heritage. You can find more information on Pacific Symphony’s arts-X-press program on our website at https://www.pacificsymphony.org/artsXpress.