Ryanne Jordan loves fashion.
The 15-year-old from Luella, a small town outside of Sherman, Texas, has been attending the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy (CSAA) in Ada, Okla. for the last four years, two of which she spent enhancing her textile design skills.
"I keep coming back because I like making clothes. It's experience I don't get back at home," the Chickasaw said. "It's a great learning experience for what I hope to be doing in the future."
The intense two-week academy offered by the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities, provides a unique opportunity for students, ages eight to 19, from all over the nation to gain valuable experience from highly qualified professional instructors in several disciplines including creative writing, photography, video production, dance and many more.
Classes are offered on two levels, with six-discipline fine arts rotation for younger students and 11-discipline level II classes for advanced students. Each level II student focuses on a certain discipline, allowing the student to specialize in that major.
Ryanne's enthusiasm for fashion and the Arts Academy is evident when she said she decided to give up cheerleading last year because a mandatory cheer camp coincided with the Arts Academy.
"It was an easy decision," she said. "I didn't regret or anything."
This year, she said she requested cheerleading camp officials to conduct the camp earlier so that she can attend both.
On Saturday, July 30, Ryanne, along with more than 150 Arts Academy participants will showcase their talents and skills during the "Festival of the Arts" presentation at Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center at East Central University in Ada.
The Festival serves as the finale of the seventh annual Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy, which began July 18 at ECU.
The free event is open to public and takes place 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The morning presentation will feature performances by the fine arts rotation students, followed by level II students in the afternoon.
Frieda Clark, CSAA co-director, said the academy provides students "an opportunity to learn and grow," in addition to providing instructions in various disciplines.
"A lot of schools are leaving off art, which is very important," Ms. Clark said. "Even if they never become great artists or sculptors or musicians, they will appreciate that art -- it will be in their heart."
Ryanne is confident that the skills she is learning at the Arts Academy will assist her in her future endeavors.
"I want to go to an art college. So they'll appreciate that I went here (Arts Academy) and they'll notice it - it'll be good for my resume," she said.
The 2011 CSAA fine arts rotation instructors are: Krista Clark (theatre), Eric Hardison (visual arts 2-dimensional), Kelby Pletcher (vocal music), Sunnie Smith (creative writing), Elizabeth Ward (visual arts 3-dimensional) and Phoebe Barron (dance).
Level II instructors are: Linda Schaefer (photography), Karita Coffey (visual art 3-dimensional), Phillip Berryhill (vocal music), Chris Shofner (video production), James Wallace (theatre tech), Trina Jones (visual arts 2-dimensional), Lei Rumley (theatre), Rachel Hendricks (dance), Jim Wilson (creative writing) Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate (music composition) and Margaret Roach Wheeler (textile design).
The admission process for the academy begins each spring. For more information, please visit www.chickasaw.net or contact the Division of Arts and Humanities at (580)272-5520.
Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy "Festival of the Arts"
Saturday, July 30
Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center, 920 East Main Street.
Ataloa Theatre
9:00-9:25 a.m. Welcome
9:25-9:30 a.m. "Let the Journey Begin" by Jae L. Stilwell
9:30-11:15 a.m. Fine Arts Rotation Performance and Finale
3-3:20 p.m. Video production: "The Newsroom"
3:20-3:30 p.m. Slide Show
Chalmers Theatre
8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Photography
Band Room
1:30-3 p.m. Music Composition
Pogue Art Gallery
8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Visual Arts 2D/3D and Textiles
