Two years ago, the grounds of Mullumbimby High School were, as one local put it, ‘in a bit of a state’.
The hall, library and drama theatre had all gone under in the floods, and a major rebuilding project was just starting to take shape.
Tomorrow (Wednesday), the school will celebrate a new beginning by hosting the first big event in its newly reconstructed buildings.
Featuring an explosion of creative expression and artistic flair, Mullum High’s CAPA Showcase will kick off on Wednesday with a mix of art, drama, and music.
‘This year is particularly special – the first big event in the new hall,’ the school’s relieving principal, Cameron Johnson said.
‘We didn’t have it available for two years.
‘We still went ahead with the showcase in makeshift spaces. We made it work. But it’s great to be back in a purpose-built sound space.’
The showcase will kick off at 4pm, with an art exhibition featuring the recently completed HSC major works, a striking art installation, and portraits from the school’s famous ‘Archibimby prize’.
From 6 till 7.30pm it will be all about the music, with the freshly-minted hall hosting a selection of awesome individual and ensemble performances.
Then the lights will go down in the newly-reconstructed drama theatre, with a series of theatrical offerings taking place from 7–8.30pm.
‘This is the culmination of a lot of hard work,’ the school’s Head Teacher for Creative and Performing Arts, Jessica Eke, told The Echo.
‘And it’s all student-led. The artworks reflect the individual students own views and their expression and the drama works have all been written by them.
‘There’s been a lot of work from staff too – helping them to convey what they want to coney.’
Helping to fuel those attending and taking part in the showcase will be gourmet burgers and hotdogs provided for sale by the schools P&C.
‘What would life be like without drama, community, music and art?’ Mr Johnson said.
‘The Byron Shire is a community that embraces that – it’s part of our DNA and this is a night that’s about the community embracing and celebrating that.’
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