Fine Arts Night Brings French Art and Culture to Archway Arete
Archway Arete June 10, 2026 -
The art and culture of France was celebrated in the halls of Archway Arete at their annual Fine Arts and French Night, where the academy was transformed into a Parisian art gallery, Le Louvre à Arete, for one night.
Over 800 works of student art, using mediums of paint, charcoal, pencil, pastels, clay sculpture, mosaic, still life, and architectural models were on display for parents and families of K-2 scholars. The “art show” even showcased an installation using glow-in-the-dark paint. “We have a glow room. The scholars did neon inspired artwork inspired by the desert scene and bioluminescence of nature,” explained Jessica McCorkle, an art teacher at the academy. “We also have a master gallery where we studied masters like Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Henry Matisse,” shared McCorkle.
Many families were in attendance, crowding into the halls, excited to catch a glimpse of their child’s artwork as well as admire the impressive collections as a whole. “We get a lot of families that come,” added McCorkle.
Performing arts were also showcased in the school’s multi-purpose room, where the students’ mastery of the French language was on full display. The French teachers hosted a video presentation of their classes performing French songs for families to enjoy during multiple screenings throughout the night. “Families come here, grandparents, moms, dads, and friends to watch the kids perform a song that we have been practicing throughout the year. And we put the video together of every section, every grade level,” explained Rayana Ramadan, a French teacher at the academy.
Hands-on experiences were available to families throughout the night. There was a collaborative art project and refreshments in the courtyard, re-named “Plato’s Playground” for the event, and an art workshop in the art room, where McCorkle led the adults alongside the students in a drawing demonstration. “Families get to participate in it and see a little bit of what their scholars do on a day-to-day basis,” said McCorkle
This is a fun event for both students and their families, but Ramadan also believes it to be an important time of enrichment. “[The students] work on art pieces that are from France, and they make the connection, and they celebrate the culture as well. Every year we try to expose them to more and more about the artists and where the language is spoken all over the world. They keep seeing that year after year in art and French and our curriculum and a lot of them also go and teach their parents and they are proud of that,” she shared. “This is a tradition for us. It’s a night to celebrate French culture.”
Fine Arts and French Night at Archway Arete is an opportunity for Great Hearts families to discover the beauty of French art, French language, and French culture, together. Another experience at Great Hearts where we partner with parents to continually cultivate the minds and hearts of their children.
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Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.
