Among the most honored of High School District 214’s many proud traditions is Arts Unlimited, showcasing student talent and achievement in concert with the broader community.
On March 18, District 214 celebrated the 50th anniversary of Arts Unlimited with a reception at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights. The event highlighted student artwork and creative writing as featured in this year’s Arts Unlimited Anthology. The program also focused on the District’s five decades of promoting student excellence in the fine and performing arts -- from sculpting, painting, mixed media, poetry and short stories to performing groups like show choirs, orchestras, bands and choirs.
“Celebrating 50 years of Arts Unlimited is incredibly meaningful. It represents five decades of commitment to nurturing creativity, elevating student voice and building a vibrant arts community across District 214,” said Jennifer Aguilar-Iannotti, an art teacher and District Coordinator for Arts Unlimited.
Arts Unlimited was launched 50 years ago from the vision of former Elk Grove High School teacher and division head Richard Calisch. He so highly valued students’ work in the fine and performing arts that he sought a platform by which to give broader exposure to student voice and creative expression.
Calisch enlisted supporters, leading to Arts Unlimited 214’s creation. For five decades now, Arts Unlimited has delivered on its mission: “To provide exposure to alternative, process-oriented perspectives through an ongoing celebration of the fine and performing arts. Arts Unlimited 214 strives to inspire imagination and creativity among the District’s diverse student body and foster awareness of the arts within our community.”
Community is key. As an example, the Daily Herald, in partnership with the District, annually sponsors an Arts Unlimited Community Art and Writing contest, with winners announced during the reception.
This year’s reception was especially significant, Aguilar-Iannotti said, because it provided an opportunity to reflect on the program’s cumulative and ongoing impact. “It’s not only a celebration of the legacy that began in 1976, but a reflection of the countless students, educators and artists who have contributed to its success,” she said. “For the community, it’s a moment of pride—recognizing how the arts continue to connect us, inspire us and showcase the talent that exists within our schools.”
This year’s Calisch Award recipients, one from each comprehensive school, are: Peter Kim, Buffalo Grove High School; Emma Taucher, Elk Grove High School; Sam Frye, John Hersey High School; Christian Nava, Prospect High School; Sydney Carlson, Rolling Meadows High School; and Sean Fielding, Wheeling High School.
Award recipients expressed appreciation for both the opportunities and support offered by the arts programs.
“Being a part of Wheeling’s Fine Arts programs has allowed me to express myself freely as a performer and artist in a multitude of ways,” Fielding said. “I truly could not be more grateful for everything I’ve learned within these programs from the amazing faculty and my fellow students.”
Rolling Meadows honoree Sydnee Carlson struck a similar note: "I feel so honored to be receiving this award from a community which I believe works to make everyone feel supported, talented, respected, and pushed. I will never take for granted all of the trust that has been put on me by the Rolling Meadows fine arts directors and all of the incredible things we've been able to do together."
First-place winners in the Daily Herald/214 Art and Writing Contest are Joseph Burlini in the art category, Dennis F. Depcik in the prose category and Christine Headley in the poetry category.
To learn more about Arts Unlimited, its work and annual events, please visit the Arts Unlimited website.
