Arts Connections: Visiting Artist Inspires KDS Students
Each school year, Kent Denver connects arts students with a professional artist or group to learn from and collaborate with while also seeing the potential career paths available in the arts.
For two weeks in November, R. Alan Brooks—an author of screenplays and graphic novels—spent time with our Middle and Upper School arts students as part of our Visiting Artist program. He also spoke at assemblies, detailing his journey to become an artist and encouraging students to find their path. Watch highlights from his visit.
“What would your life be like if you didn’t let fear stop you?” Mr. Brooks asked middle schoolers during an assembly. “And if art has ever inspired you, if you never make your art, how many people will you be robbing of inspiration? All the stuff I just showed you happened because I created something.”
With a passion for storytelling—which is also the Arts Department’s theme for the 2024-25 school year—Mr. Brooks spent several class periods working with students to reimagine classic fairy tales.
“During his time at Kent Denver, Alan has encouraged, guided and inspired our students to use artistry to explore their identity. As a graphic novelist and illustrator, Alan's coolness and calmness encouraged our students to get creative,” said Alex Ates, Kent Denver’s Director of Arts. “This is all part of the Arts' theme of storytelling this academic year, as we explore the power of story in all of the arts.”
Mr. Brooks was also the keynote speaker for Kent Denver’s Professional Development Day on October 28, speaking with faculty and staff about the power of seeing yourself in art. You can explore some of Mr. Brooks’ work at the Denver Art Museum. It is on display on the seventh floor. He also writes a weekly comic for The Colorado Sun called What’d I Miss?
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