On Tuesday afternoon at the Vista Civic Center, an exhibit reception was held to recognize artists from Vista’s middle and high schools
called ‘Arts Under the Stars’, showcasing the talented students of Vista. We spoke with Roger Royster, who organized the event. The Superintendent of Vista Unified, Matt Doyle, asked if we could start showing off the stellar work from students in the Performing and Visual Arts. The team gathered together and decided to do an art show at the Vista Civic Center.
Ten schools participated, sixth through twelfth grade. There are four high schools with 102 entries which also includes 3D work. They communicated with a team of art teachers across the district and let them know whether or not they would participate. Each school did their own jurying and judging of their work and each had space for 10-12 pieces. We had approximately 50 pieces of artwork.
We asked City Councilmember Joe Green what it means for the City to have this kickoff event at the Civic Center. “The City of Vista, since 1963, when we were incorporated, has allocated over $75 million dollars to both the Visual and Performing Arts. We are committed to partnering with the Vista Unified School District to continue to enhance the Art Culture throughout Vista. We are super excited about the students art displayed here today and I am really excited to watch this event grow in the future. Superintendent Matt Doyle invited us to be a part of this and we couldn’t be happier to partner with them in this event and representing visual and performing arts throughout the City of Vista.”
Superintendent Matt Doyle of the Vista Unified School District said, “The ‘Arts Under the Stars’ is the first annual opportunity for us, not only to recognize Performing Artists, but also Fine Arts. What we are trying to do is re-kindle some of the amazing work our students have been doing over the years, moving out of the pandemic, and shining a light on the great work our students are doing and can accomplish, in every elementary, middle and high school in our district. This has been our focus. For years we have been doing the Festivals of the Arts, and at the Festival, which is always in the Fall, we’ve highlighted both Visual and Performing Arts. We wanted to do one in the second half of the year and we called it ‘Arts Under the Stars’. They are separated, and the show you are looking at today is the Visual, the focus of the Visual Arts and important winners, and Wednesday will be our Music and Performing Arts at the Moonlight Amphitheater. So we are highlighting them twice a year.
The show runs April 12th through May 27th. The Civic Center is open at 8 am to 5:30 pm Mon-Thurs and 8 am to 4:30 pm alternate Fridays.
Check back for a list of all the winners!
