Arts Review: Winter & Spring

The late winter and spring seasons were filled with vibrant creative expression from students. Here is a look back at the artistic highlights from across campus.

The aptly named “Term One Show” in January kicked off 2026 with works from the visual and media arts classes, spanning grades 8–12. In May, the Term Two Show highlighted student artistry from the latter half of the year. For both exhibitions, the Keator Gallery was filled with expressive drawings, vibrant paintings, carefully crafted ceramics, dynamically shot short films, myriad photographic styles, architectural marvels, and stunning graphic designs. In early May, the gallery also featured a special showcase by advanced artists in Studio III, highlighting the work of Jade-Logan B. ’27 alongside seniors Ella Rinaldi, Julia Van Der Aue, and Rain Zeng.

In February, the Black Student Union and the Office of Equity and Community presented the annual Black History Month Art Show. The exhibition featured an impressive collection of works by local artists: Faustin Adeniran, Jean Benoit, Marquis Brantley, Blake Eason, Shaunda Holloway, Clara Nartey, Jasmine Nikole, Moshopefoluwa Olagunju, and Jamel Robinson.

From April 7 to 17, the Middle East North Africa (MENA) student affinity group held its inaugural MENA Arts Exhibit in the Keator Gallery, featuring art from the Middle East and North Africa region. MENA and the Office of Equity and Community collaborated with Faisal Saleh, founder of the Palestine Museum US, located in neighboring Woodbridge, to curate the collection. The show also featured the work of local artists Azza El Siddique and Nadia Younes.

From May 13 to 20, the Hopkins Digital Photography Program held its annual PHO SHO, showcasing an incredible selection of top-tier digital photography from the entire school year. The exhibit featured multimedia projects, portraiture (both animal and human), conceptual pieces, and Lume Cube experiments.

The APAC Schwartz Gallery—located in the Academic & Performing Arts Center—featured numerous student artworks as well. In late February, the Schwartz Gallery displayed student work entered into the 2026 Connecticut Scholastic Art Competition. In May, the Comic Book Club hosted an art show highlighting the work of student artists who spent the year producing storyboards, designs, environments, and characters in the graphic novel genre. This project thrived under the expert guidance of professional artist and current Hopkins parent Adam Wallenta.

Hopkins thespians kicked off the 2026 drama season with the Shoestring Ensemble Theater class, who invited the Hopkins community to their final exam on Friday, January 9, in the APAC Theater. The players performed an adaptation of French folklore titled Two French Folk Tales! Presented in the “shoestring style”—where limited props are used while actors create set pieces with their bodies—this high-energy show had everything: adventure, magic, and a lot of rabbits!

From February 26 to March 1, the Hopkins Drama Association (HDA) brought the APAC stage to life with a triumphant production of The Drowsy Chaperone. Under the direction of Drama Teacher Mike Calderone, the knockout cast delivered sharp comedic timing and exceptional vocals, supported by a cohesive ensemble and live pit orchestra. The production was a true collaborative experience, involving an impressive team of 75 students who contributed as onstage performers, pit musicians, and crew members managing props and constructing intricate set pieces. The show delighted packed audiences from the overture to the final curtain call.

From April 23 to 25, HDA returned to the stage with a moving production of Melanie Marnich’s These Shining Lives. Directed by Drama Instructor Hope Hartup, with technical direction by David Kenton, the talented ensemble cast expertly portrayed the true story of the “Radium Girls”—four women who fought for justice in the 1930s after suffering the tragic effects of radium poisoning while working for the Radium Dial Company. Through heartfelt performances and inventive staging, the powerful production left audiences thoroughly enthralled and inspired.

On May 15–16, an energetic cast of 7th and 8th graders took the APAC stage to present a lively production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical JR. Directed by Mike Calderone, the talented Junior School ensemble delivered standout performances, telling the inspiring tale of an extraordinary girl who stands up for what is right with the help of her “revolting” school friends. Technical Director David Kenton led the stage and tech crews in crafting creative visual and prop effects that brought Crunchem Hall to life, delighting packed audiences on both nights.

In the spring, Hopkins musicians presented three evenings of uplifting music to a full house in the APAC, beautifully showcasing a year of hard work and dedicated practice.

The concert series kicked off on May 5, as the Hopkins Choirs took to the stage under the direction of Erika Schroth, Director of Choral Music. Featuring performances by the Concert Choir, Treble Choir, Jazz Choir, Chamber Quartet, and the Seventh and Eighth Grade Vocal Arts Ensemble, the program spanned an impressive range of genres. Audiences were treated to everything from traditional folk songs like “Red River Valley” and theatrical selections from Rent and Waitress to pop classics like Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and Michael McDonald’s “What a Fool Believes.”

On May 7, the Hopkins Orchestra filled the theater with stunning classical melodies, directed by Arts Department Chair Bobby Smith. The ambitious program included four movements from Leoš Janáček’s Idyll for Strings, the Intermezzo from Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Opus 30, Josef Suk’s Scherzo Fantastique, Opus 25, and concluded dramatically with the third movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Opus 18.

Rounding out the musical showcase on May 8, the Hopkins Bands got the audience’s feet tapping under the direction of Erik Elligers, Director of Instrumental Music. The lineup—which brought together the Jazz Ensemble, H-Bop, the Concert Band, and the Seventh and Eighth Grade Instrumental Ensembles—offered a spirited mix of music. The repertoire featured timeless jazz standards like Louis Prima’s “Sing, Sing, Sing” and Charles Mingus’s “Fables of Faubus,” alongside modern surprises like “Golden” from the movie KPop Demon Hunters.

Beyond the campus stage, the Hopkins Jazz Ensemble and H-Bop traveled to Philadelphia on Saturday, April 18, to compete in the 7th annual National Jazz Festival. The Jazz Ensemble placed fourth in its division, while Gabe C. ’26 received the Outstanding Musicianship Award. In addition to participating in educational clinics and jam sessions, Liam T. ’26, Kyle A. ’26, Timothy E. ’28, Greta L. ’28, and Stanley S. ’29 were selected as National Jazz Festival Diplomats and performed at the awards ceremony. Erik Elligers praised the students for their hard work and outstanding performances on the national stage, noting that they should be immensely proud of their accomplishments.

Watch the Spring Concerts in the videos below:

The winter and spring seasons’ vibrant exhibitions, immersive drama, and music experiences highlighted the talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit of student artists at Hopkins. As we celebrate these remarkable achievements, we look forward to the next chapter of artistic excellence and innovation in the upcoming 2026–2027 school year.