Newtown High School Creative Cultural Arts Council Partners With The S.H.A.C.K. to Help Sandy Hook Heal Through the Arts
Newtown High School Creative Cultural Arts Council members & volunteers.
Over the past 3 weeks the Newtown High School Creative Cultural Arts Council (CCAC) has provided volunteers for almost all of the free events and pop-in sessions that have been offered to the community at The S.H.A.C.K. What we have seen is an incredible group of young leaders who have given of their time and talents and have help put smiles on the faces of many who were directly affected by the tragedy. Below is an interview the S.H.A.C.K. held with the founders of the CCAC, Newtown High School Juniors, Sarah Clements and Lindsay Fuori.
Sarah Clements–
Sarah Clements
Why/how/when did you start the CCAC?
We started the Creative Cultural Arts Council initially to help to promote high school artists (from writers to visual artists to musicians and more!) by putting on programs and events around town and within the high school alone. But shortly after what happened, there was sort of a natural shift of focus for our projects. The first meeting after, we sat around and spoke about all the different things we could do to help the town heal through the arts. We created a laundry list of ideas, some of which are for the long-term and some of which are happening now (like helping the SHACK, creating a mural in the high school that displays a sense of hope and moving forward, and aiding the youths in town through art). The CCAC is still doing what it initially was set out to do, but we now have a very refined and service-driven list of projects, which is a great thing!
How did you hear about the SHACK?
I heard about the SHACK on Facebook, actually. I saw a link for it and learned more about it. Finally, I got in touch with Wendy, to see if the CCAC could help in any way.
Why did you want to help?
When I saw what the SHACK was all about, I immediately wanted to help because it is such an important goal, and it is a similar one to the CCAC goal: help the young people in Newtown heal and move forward with love and hope through the arts. The SHACK is such a beautiful, intimate space that is literally an art shack. When you walk in, you smile because no matter what age you are, it feels safe and calming and pleasant. That is so important for us right now, so for the CCAC to be able to lend volunteers is an honor for us!
What does helping this project mean to you personally?
This project is incredibly personal to me. My mother is a teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School, I went there when I was younger, and I know every faculty member who works there. I have spent countless hours in that building, whether visiting or learning or helping set up classrooms for the new year. After what happened, I and everyone else needed some sort of assistance in healing, and we still do, I think. I am a very creative, artistic person: I love to write, play music, make short films, etc. so I knew after what happened that this was going to be one thing that would help me now and in the long run. Even if you are not an “artistic” person, per se, it is so important, no matter what age, to take a deep breath, sit down at a table, relax, and draw (or paint or play an instrument or take pictures or write). Especially in this moment, where there is no rulebook for how to deal with things, I truly believe that, as Governor Malloy said at the Interfaith Vigil, “We must act childlike, not childish”. I strongly believe that we all must express ourselves through the arts because otherwise, you could be holding our healing back. I think this project is personal to us all, which is why the SHACK means so much to Newtown.
What do you hope it will accomplish?
I think the SHACK has already accomplished so much: it has helped Newtown youth, it provides a safe, sacred space for people of all ages, and it uses a type of art therapy, in a way, to do so. I hope, though, that many people use the space and take part in the opportunity the SHACK offers. There have already been so many great events, and I encourage everyone to stop by and take an hour or two out of your busy days to relax and do something for yourself. I hope that the SHACK reaches its full outreach potential.
Lindsay Fuori–
Lindsay Fuori
Why/how/when did you start the CCAC?
Having known each other since Reed School, and having been in art classes together, Sarah and I often found ourselves talking about art projects and events we dreamed of one day doing. We planned out a day of art, de-stress days, and cafeteria performances. Sitting in Starbucks talking one day over the summer we decided we needed to make these ideas come to life. We created a proposal for a club that would foster creativity, innovation, and community connection and create an avenue for us to follow through with our ideas. Mr. Hiruo, an Assistant Principal at NHS loved the idea and gave us the support we needed to get started.
How did you hear about the SHACK?
Sarah was the one who originally heard of the SHACK. After Wendy came to visit the CCAC’s meeting I found the Facebook page and began looking into what the SHACK’s goals were.
Why did you want to help?
I found that the SHACK and the Arts Council stand for similar things. As I’ve grown in my art I’ve come to realize how important it is to advocate for the arts and give back. I remember art classes with Mrs. Gunn at SHS; she made me, and my peers, so excited about art. She was always so kind and loving, if we weren’t feeling up to the project that day there were tons of other artistic outlets around the room. That’s another reason I was so drawn to the SHACK: Sarah and I both went to SHS and went back to visit and lend a hand. That school, and the people in it mean so much to us and art is such a great tool for healing, if our passion and love for art might help someone else’s healing, we’re there.
What does helping this project mean to you personally?
In addition to the personal connection it has for me I also think it’s helping those who volunteer. The CCAC members who have been to the SHACK rave about it! It’s a blast, and it’s great to see all the smiling faces.
What do you hope it will accomplish?
I think the SHACK is a great place that is going to give kids something to smile about, and will support creativity in our youth. Life has become so scheduled and regimented and that’s a shame, but I’m confident that the SHACK will become a place of freedom and creativity for kids to forget the world outside, and be what they are: kids.
To support the ongoing efforts of the SHACK, please visit our fundraising page by clicking here.
