Richardson and Jaymonee take top honors at “The World Around You” art show

SILER CITY, N.C. — Joseph Richardson and Jaymonee received top honors at “The World Around You: A Celebration of Art,” a juried art exhibition held on October 23 at Jordan-Matthews High School.

Richardson was presented first place and a $100 award for his painting, “Growing Out.” Jaymonee received second place and a $50 award for her painting “Self Love." Receiving honorable mention from judges Barbara Hengstenberg and Bronwyn Watson was Monica Razo for her mixed media work, “Inside My Heart."

“The World Around You: A Celebration of Art” was inspired by “Under the Sea," a featured number from JM’s upcoming musical production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” which offers three performances only from November 15 to 17.

Advanced students interpreted the theme in many different mediums, while concentrating on observation, identity and perspective. Art I and II students used an "Under the Sea” theme, drawn directly from the song’s title, to create art based on sea life, both real and imaginary.

The fall art show was planned and presented by Art III/IV students and presented with assistance from JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with about 90 members and five organizational partners working to provide what JM artists need to excel.

More information about the foundation, including how to become a member, is available online at JMArts.org. Tickets to “Disney's The Little Mermaid" are now on sale at JMArtsTickets.com.

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Award recipients in “The World Around You” art show were, from left, Monica Razo, Joseph Richardson, teacher Rahma Mateen-Mason and Jaymonee.

Mermaid Ariel hosts family breakfast on November 10 at JM

SILER CITY, N.C. — Ariel and her friends from “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” will host a family breakfast at Jordan-Matthews High School early next month to entertain children and raise money to help high school artists excel.

“Breakfast with Princess Ariel and Friends” is scheduled for Saturday, November 10, from 10 a.m. to noon. It features cast members from JM’s musical theater production, which holds three performances the week before Thanksgiving.

The menu includes pancakes, sausage and juice. But the real attraction will be a chance to meet characters from under the sea, hear them sing an occasional song and take plenty of photos with the stars.

“I’m super excited to meet everyone and share with them how wonderful it is to be a mermaid!” says Ariel, who will be performed in the musical by Jennifer Trejo Benitez. “And I hope they will want to come back and and see me and my friends at the musical!"

Breakfast admission is $10 per person and seating will be staggered from 10 a.m. to noon. Because this is a family event, all children under age 12 must be accompanied by at least one adult.

JMArts President Rose Pate, who is organizing the character breakfast, says families should plan to spend about 30 minutes at the event. “When we decided to produce our first Disney show, we wanted to extend the experience for our community,” she said. “This will be the perfect event for families who would love to meet Ariel and her friends, but whose children are too young for a full-length musical.”

Reservations are now being accepted and may be requested by email at info@jmarts.org or online for anyone with a Google e-mail account through the “Breakfast with Ariel and Friends” event page at JMArts.org. Once parties are scheduled, they will receive a confirmation with the reservation time and options to pay by cash, check or credit card.

All proceeds from the breakfast will be used by JMArts to help high school artists excel. That includes providing scholarships for summer study on university campuses, producing Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” purchasing art supplies and reducing the cost to students traveling this spring to perform at a band festival in Williamsburg or explore the arts in New York City.

More information about the JMArts, including how to become a member, is available online at JMArts.org. Tickets to “Disney's The Little Mermaid" are now on sale at JMArtsTickets.com.

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Cast members from “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” will be in full costume on November 10, when they welcome children and their families to Jordan-Matthews High School for Breakfast with Ariel and Friends. Among the actors scheduled to participate in the breakfast are, left to right, Jennifer Henderson as Scuttle, Jennifer Trejo Benitez as Ariel, Sydney Suits as Flounder, Lindley Andrew as Sebastian and Conrad Suits as Eric.

“The World Around You” juried art show set for Oct. 23 at JM

SILER CITY — Jordan-Matthews High School artists will help everyone “look at the world around you” during a juried art exhibition scheduled for October 23 in Siler City.

“The World Around You: A Celebration of Art” will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. in the JM Media Center. The one-hour exhibition, planned and presented by Art III/IV students, is free and includes a reception with light refreshments.

The show is inspired by “Under the Sea," a featured number from JM’s upcoming musical production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” which offers three performances only from November 15 to 17.

Art teacher Rahma Mateen-Mason said advanced students are interpreting the theme in many different mediums, while concentrating on observation, identity and perspective. Art I students are using an "Under the Sea” theme, drawn directly from the song’s title, to create art based on sea life, both real and imaginary.

Cash awards will be presented with $100 for the work judged by professional artists as first-place and $50 for the work judged as second-place in the show.

“The World Around You: A Celebration of Art” is being presented with assistance from JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with about 90 members and five organizational partners working to provide what JM artists need to excel.

More information about the foundation, including how to become a member, is available online at JMArts.org. Tickets to Disney's "The Little Mermaid" are now on sale at JMArtsTickets.com.

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JM senior Axel Vera works on his piece for "The World Around You: A Celebration of Art" during Rahma Mateen-Mason's Honors Art VI class.