(05/18/2023) Anoka Middle School for the Arts (AMSA) welcomed community members and families to its annual Arts Fest at both the Washington and Fred Moore campuses May 11. The evening showcased all the creative and artistic work of the students during the 2022-23 academic year with displays, performances, demonstrations and more.

The two-hour event is hardly enough time to experience all both campuses have to offer, as the evening highlighted more than 50 stations featuring:

• Musical and dance performances by individuals, teams, after-school programs, the school band/jazz band and choir groups.
• Creative writing readings.
• Raku firing and ceramics demonstrations.
• Interactive English, math, science, social studies and technical arts activities.
• A multicultural fashion show.
• And endless displays of student art and quilting projects.

Student and parent reactions to the event:

“You can do so much in the Arts program here and to bring your family to a night like this is a special privilege that I don’t think you can get at many other schools,” said AMSA seventh grader Cayden Lyman-Zarich. 

“This event captures the spirit of the school because you get to see and experience the whole range of things that happen,” said Ben Boyd, a parent of an eighth grader. “As parents, the arts night is fun because of the interactive activities.”

“I get to show my family and friends how much work I’ve done over the year,” said Payton Lundy, a seventh grader at AMSA. 

“The artwork and dances are amazing and the kids do a great job,” said Amber Lueders, the parent of an eighth grade student. “The Arts Fest is something that we can be involved in. It is a tangible experience that we can come to the school and see what the students are doing on a day-to-day basis. And it’s fun!” 

View photos from the Arts Fest.

See some of the outstanding work and activities the 2023 Arts Fest provided to attendees.