By M. Scott Carter
LONE WOLF -- Six Moore high school students -- Elisha Gallegos, Jeanne Lynn, Madeline Miller, Tyler Martin, Mary Ingram, and Kamela Curtis -- had the chance to study with a professional actor, a prot?g? or renown photographer Ansel Adam's and many more award-winning artists at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain (OSAI).
The two-week, residential academy offers intensive training for Oklahoma high school students in the visual, literary and performing arts.
"I'm honored to have been accepted into this highly regarded program," said Martin, an OSAI orchestra student from Westmoore High School.
Over the past 31 summers, many famous artists have taught at OSAI, including recipients of the Academy, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Awards. This year's faculty artists include actress Famke Janssen of Los Angeles and photographer Huntington Witherill of Monterey, Calif.
Janssen has starred in all three "X-Men" movies and was a "Bond Girl" in the megahit "GoldenEye." She has starred in numerous other films opposite such actors as Liam Neeson, Sir Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Robert De Niro and many more.
Witherill is considered by many "a legend" in the field of photography, having studied with Ansel Adams and many other photographers. With more than 90 exhibitions and two photography books to his credit, Witherill was named "Artist of the Year" by the Center for Photographic Art.
"This opportunity to study with some of the nation's finest artists can be a life-changing experience," said Julie Cohen, Oklahoma Arts Institute president. "We are thrilled to have Moore represented by these very talented students at the 2008 Summer Arts Institute."
The schedule was intense.
The students studied a chosen discipline for at least six hours a day, and in the evenings attend a variety of performances, lectures, and demonstrations in all of the fine arts.
Moore's students were part of an elite group of 275 Oklahoma high school students chosen for the program through competitive statewide auditions out of a pool of almost 1,100 applicants.
"I know the curriculum will be difficult, but I'm ready," said Ingram, an OSAI chorus student. Ingram is a recent graduate of Moore High School.
In conjunction with their acceptance, Moore students received full scholarships to OSAI.
"I was able to form friendships with talented, goal-oriented students, witness world class performances and unlock my own creative potential," said Curtis.
Curtis, a recent graduate of Moore High School, studyed creative writing at OSAI.
OSAI culminated in ONSTAGE Weekend June 27 and 28. The weekend consisted of concerts, performances, film screenings and exhibitions where every OSAI student had a chance to display their work.
"I'm extremely thankful for the opportunities I have had and I can't wait to learn more this summer," said Miller, an OSAI drawing/painting student.
Miller is a recent graduate of Moore High School.
Gallegos is an OSAI drawing/painting student who recently graduated from Westmoore High School. Lynn, a Brink Junior High School student, was in the OSAI orchestra.
OSAI is administered by the Oklahoma Arts Institute, a private, non-profit organization established in 1977 with a vision to cultivate established and emerging artists and educators through art workshops, immersion and awareness.
Student scholarships were provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Sarkeys Foundation Scholars Fund, Better Days Foundation, Oklahoma Art League, Ad Astra Foundation, Crawley Family Foundation and Brattain Scholars Fund.
Additional funding is provided by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the Oklahoma State Department of Tourism and Recreation, the Helmerich Foundation, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
