Fortunes, cookies and arts, oh my!

By SHAIYLA HAKEEM

shakeem@vindy.com

Poetry, dancing, crocheting and cake designing were a few of the creations presented at the Synergy of the Arts program on Jan. 8. It began with a small fortune, but quickly took on a life of its own.

Canfield guidance counselor Becky Heikkinen has been teaching drama for 11 years. After reading about the Synergy program in a magazine, she decided to test it out.

“Synergy provides a nice way for kids to focus on different arts and to appreciate all types of talents,” Heikkinen said.

The Synergy of the Arts adventure all began with the opening of a fortune cookie. Heikkinen explains it as a modified version of the childhood game “Telephone.” Instead of passing along the message by word of mouth, it is done by some form of artistic expression.

Students were split into one-man teams and small groups then numbered from one to 16. Sixteen weeks were allotted to complete the project with each group assigned a specific week.

The first group opened the fortune cookie, thus launching a journey through the world of creation and art. Only the first group knew the message from the fortune cookie and they kept their lips sealed.

Each group was required to produce some type of original artistic creation inspired from the previous creation. The idea was to open up students to various artistic expressions while attempting to focus on the original fortune.

“Many students aren’t used to being influenced by others’ artistic abilities,” Heikkinen said. “They usually are only exposed to their own influences.”

The Synergy of the Arts show began with the last group performing first. The show worked its way from the end all the way back to the first group who originally opened the fortune cookie.

Performances ranged from graphic films and live bands to tap dancing and piano duets.

Proud Canfield mom Lori Graneto, whose son took part in the program, thinks that Synergy is great for the students.

“There are so many talented students in the community that sometimes don’t get an opportunity to showcase that talent,” Graneto said.

Heikkinen says that she will like to make Synergy of the Arts an annual event. Proceeds from the program will be used for auditorium needs and district programs to support the arts.

By the way, the fortune that began this extraordinary venture into the arts, “Tell me who you love and I’ll tell you who you are.”