More Than 100 District 5 Middle School Students Participate in Arts Consortium

Submitted by Lexington-Richland School District Five.

More than 100 middle school students from Lexington-Richland School District Five are getting an opportunity to hone their artistic skills this summer. 

Students participating in the 2013 Tri-District Arts Consortium (Tri-DAC) are among the most artistically gifted and talented students in District Five, Lexington School District One, and Richland School District Two. Held July 1 through 20 this year, the three-week event gives middle school students an opportunity to learn and enhance their skills in a variety of fields, including: creative writing, dance, music, theatre and visual arts. The program is hosted by the Palmetto Center for the Arts. 

Dutch Fork Middle School’s MacKenzie Bewley won this year’s logo design contest for the program’s 2013 theme "Just Arts – The Universal Language." She said the summer arts program has made her a better artist. 

“When I started Tri-DAC in fifth grade, I was pretty nervous and excited at the same time,” said Bewley, a third year Tri-DAC participant. “As the years passed, I have found myself looking forward to Tri-DAC even more because you get to meet other people that share the same passions as you while becoming a better artist yourself. It really is a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone who has the chance to go.” 

Students must be nominated by teachers or parents, audition and be selected to participate in the program. During Tri-DAC, students are exposed to concepts, skills and ideas that are generally taught in high school or college.

Tami Richardson, District Five Gifted and Talented Program Supervisor, said Tri-DAC provides incredible opportunities for artistically gifted students to enrich and accelerate their knowledge and skills in the arts. 

“The Tri-DAC Summer Arts Program is a fantastic opportunity for students who are serious about visual and performing arts,” Richardson said. “It enriches the skills they have, exposes them to quality arts education experiences and pushes them to achieve at the next level.”