9th Annual SPAC Festival of Young Artists Celebrates the Next Generation of Artists in the Capital District

On May 31, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) hosted its ninth annual Festival of Young Artists (FOYA) inviting artists from around the Capital District to showcase their talents. SPAC’s education initiative is “rooted in the belief that the arts support wellbeing and strengthen connection. Our work is designed to foster creativity, confidence, and a true sense of belonging for individuals and families across our region.” FOYA gives students invested in the arts a chance to perform and connect with students across school districts.

This year’s FOYA theme was “Seasons,” students were given the prompt: “Nature moves through cycles of growth, transformation, reflection, and renewal, and so do we. Each season brings its own mood and meaning, shaping both the world around us and the landscapes within us.” Students were invited to submit visual, literary, and performing arts relating to the cycles of the seasons. 

SPAC highlighted students across three disciplines of the arts with “outstanding awards.” Victoria Jones, Saratoga Springs High School, won the outstanding award for visual arts for her painting, “Cornfield” (pictured below). Fatemeh Sima Amiri, Shaker High School, won the outstanding award for literary art for her poem, “The Fifth Season.” The Capital District Arts Initiative won the outstanding award for performing arts for their dance “Epilogue.” To view the long list of submissions across all disciplines, go to spacfoya.org.

Student performances took place on the amphitheater stage and across tents set up across SPAC’s grounds. An art show exhibited digital, painted, and photography submissions. The festival culminated in a final performance on the amphitheater stage combining the Empire State Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Capital District Youth Chorale, Shenendehowa High School Choraliers. The performance featured a choreographed dance performance from the Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet. It was a beautiful display of the arts by students across the Capital Region.

SPAC School of the Arts offers opportunities for people of all ages to have access to the arts. Visit spac.org/education/school-of-the-arts/ for more information and to register for classes.