July 12, 1999 Volume 21, No. 17

Statewide Program Brings Budding Artists to Campus Some 55 students enrolled in grades 8 to 12 will be at Ithaca College through August 6 to develop their skills in video, film, photography, and computer art. Drawn from all over the state, the students will be participating in the School of Media Arts — one of eight residential programs of the New York State Summer School of the Arts. "The students don’t just pay their money and come," says Robert Harris, artistic director of the school and an assistant professor in the cinema and photography department. "They have to have shown a portfolio of work that demonstrates ability." Once in the program, the young artists spend time in classrooms learning the technical and aesthetic aspects of their chosen discipline. They work in small groups and in one-on-one sessions with seasoned professionals. Among the summer school’s faculty this year are Kevin Michael, a multimedia technician in the Roy H. Park School of Communications; Carrie Blank, a New York City filmmaker; Angelo Jannuzzi, a video artist from New York City; and Tania M. Sãmano Palacios and Nicoletta Kalatha, graduates of the College’s cinema and photography program whose work will be displayed in the Handwerker Gallery of Art through August 24. Students in the School of Media Arts take advantage of videotape editing facilities in the Roy H. Park School of Communications. Photo by George Valcarce In addition to classroom work, each evening of each week — except Tuesdays and Saturdays — the students will attend lectures and film screenings presented by established artists in the four disciplines being taught. These events are also open to the public and are free. The four-week program culminates on Friday, August 6, with exhibits of the students’ work. "There’s an understanding in New York State that the existence of the fine arts is critical to the health of the culture," says Harris, who has directed the School of Media Arts at Ithaca College since 1992. "We’re trying to keep the culture healthy by locating and stimulating young people who have artistic talent." This summer marks the 29th year of operation for the schools that form the New York State Summer School of the Arts. In addition to media arts, instruction is offered at selected sites around the state in ballet, choral studies, dance, jazz, orchestral studies, theater, and visual arts. More than 11,000 high school–age students have become part of this summer experience.