Inspired Arts camp leads to live showcase for 36 girls
MADISON – Thirty-six young women experienced the excitement and challenge of the fine arts during Inspired Arts, a performing arts camp led by founder and president Alexandra Bolton.
Bolton, a junior at the University of Alabama, founded Inspired Arts as a 501(c)3-certified nonprofit organization in April 2015 on her 19th birthday. Originally, the camp served as her service project for Girl Scout’s Gold Award, but Bolton since has continued the camp.
This summer, Inspired Arts campers met six hours daily on July 18-21. Classes were held in conjunction with The Dance Company Inc., along with a workshop at Bob Jones High School auditorium.
Mostly in middle school, campers enrolled from Hazel Green, Williams, The Academy for Academics and Arts, McNair and Lincoln Academy.
“Kinetic,” the 2017 theme recognized each individual’s potential to become the next great doctor, president or artist, Bolton said. “We have potential to change the world. ‘Kinetic’ is an extended metaphor for scientific law and what we do with our potential.
Following that idea, campers designed Rube Goldberg machines, danced in reverse freeze and played the “Human Machine” theatre game that demonstrates stage levels and blocking. They discussed chemical/potential energy and launched rockets with water and Alka Seltzer.
“The Dance Company hosts our camp each year and provides some teachers. Beth Cannon and Julie George are amazing women who offer wisdom on managing students, organizing classes or building a business. They’re invaluable to us,” Bolton said.
Each day, campers attended four hour-long classes. They studied theatre, hip-hop, singing and lyrical and jazz dance. All classes led to brief performances during their public showcase in Bob Jones auditorium.
“Each class aimed to build confidence, encourage personal creativity and allow exploration of a new art style,” Bolton said. “The most important part is not that students perform flawless pieces but that they try new things and have a good time expressing themselves.”
Before the showcase, Bob Jones Dance team, Coach Katie Robertson and Choreographer Danni Heverin applied makeup.
Numerous volunteers helped with Inspired Arts:
* Creative Director Emeline Earman created artistic profile and handled photographs.
* Dance teachers Haylee Blackmon, Karalee Arnell, Jessie Potts-Prescott, Brianna Caudle.
* Dance assistants Alex Troupe, Christian Nesselrotte.
* Theatre teachers Ashley Anderson, Olivia Carroll, Anna Spengler.
* Music teachers Genesis Phillips, Suzie Glover.
* Talent Agents Sarah Elegante, Elena Smith, Cristina Bolton, Anna Fennell, Taylor Griffith.
“None of this would be possible without our community sponsors, including The Dance Company Inc., Asbury Community Thrift Store, Reach Orthodontics, Bob Jones Theatre, Sullins Eyecare, Bob Laughlin and Mrs. Laughlin, Progress Bank, Zaxby’s, WhichWich, Sunny Street Cafe, United Methodist Women Lydia Circle and many individuals,” Bolton said.
At UA, Bolton is earning dual-degrees in social work and marketing. She participates in Honors College, honors programs for her majors, Capstone Agency, 57 Miles program and Bama Wesley.
