For the second year in a row, COVID-19 has modified – but not canceled – Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart’s end-of-the-year celebration of the arts. Last year, when the school was in a full-time remote learning mode, Fine Arts Evening was entirely online. All student artwork and musical performances were shown virtually. Usually, the event is held at the school and open to the public.

With the return to in-person classroom learning for the 2020-21 term, this year’s Fine Arts Evening was open to the Woodlands Academy community at the school’s Gloria Dei Center from May 18-20. It was not open to the public due to the pandemic.

On May 20, Fine Arts Evening drew to a close with the opening of an online virtual gallery space that can be viewed at https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/5416224/2021-woodlands-academy-fine-arts-evening through May 25. It features the same student artwork and music recordings showcased during the Gloria Dei exhibition in a compelling online format.

This was the first time the building that previously housed the former Barat College’s library showcased this annual display of Woodlands Academy student art and musical talent. Also new was the Fine Arts Department’s decision to have a central theme for all content. This year’s inaugural theme was “water.” For example, the recorded selections by the Sophie’s Singers choir and Woodlands Academy Orchestra were “Songs of the Water.”

Looking ahead to next year, organizers anticipate being able to once again welcome the public to share in-person a Fine Arts Evening of student artwork and live concert performances by the school’s choirs and orchestra.