BIG SKY – The youth have long been hailed—in some instances,
scorned—for their role in society as the de facto social critics.
Some might chock it up to youthful need for rebellion, or,
in a reductive dismissal, hormones. More likely, it’s recognition of the
immediate inheritance of the world and its affairs.
Whatever one’s position on the matter, the phenomenon is a
fact of life. And 8th graders of the Big Sky School District have
answered the call of outspoken advocacy through a series of pop art paintings
highlighting some of the most pressing, sometimes contentious, problems of the
era.
Touching upon a wide range of topics, from white tigers
being inbred, to pill addiction, gun violence, political strife in Hong Kong
and police brutality, among others, members of the 8th grade class
put brush to canvas in hopes of illustrating what matters to them.
“They are incredible,” art teacher DJ Soikkeli told EBS. “[It’s] cool for them to see their work in the paper, because then they are validated that their voice does matter and is being heard.”
Soikkeli had each student write an artist statement to
accompany the pieces, designed to underscore their creative vision and why they
chose the topic they did.
Take Logan Barker’s commentary on rape culture.
“The big idea that my artwork illustrates is how as a whole
our society encourages
rape culture,” Barker wrote about her piece, “Encouragement
at the Circus.” “I intend to single out how as a society as a whole we practice
encouraging this idea that it is OK to rape.”
Or Mason Dickerson’s portrayal of gun violence in the U.S.
“A growing issue in the United States is gun violence and
gun legislation,” Dickerson wrote. “The goal of my art piece is to spread
awareness for the growing gun violence in the U.S. and to show all we need to
do is put out a helping hand for everybody.”
Through this creative project, students were given a platform
to voice their outrage and sadness for woes of today. Art and activism are
staunch associates—through the BSSD curriculum and Soikkeli’s oversight, that
relationship is now celebrated by the 8th graders of Big Sky.
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019:4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Join Big Sky OUT at the Len Hill Park Community Ice Rink for a free and inclusive ice skating event for all levels. Everyone is welcome, especially allies! There will be
Event Details
Join Big Sky OUT at the Len Hill Park Community Ice Rink for a free and inclusive ice skating event for all levels. Everyone is welcome, especially allies! There will be hot cocoa donated by the Hungry Moose and pizza donated by Blue Moon Bakery. Ice skate rentals are available at East Slope Outdoors until 8pm.