St. John’s School in Hollywood hosted a Celebration of the Arts on Jan. 29, as part of Catholic Schools Week. Regional visual artist Mary Lou Troutman as well as highly skilled music students from St. Mary’s College of Maryland participated.

 Renowned artist Mary Lou Troutman demonstrated her special technique for watercolor painting to St. John’s School Middle School students.   She shared some of her techniques, discussed how she was inspired to do regional subject matter and gave some tips on how to be a successful career artist.

 The St. Mary’s College of Maryland students, who are majoring in music education, came to demonstrate the various classes of instruments.  SJS students were also taught about how the various instruments work and given a demonstration of their range of tones. The students played a few excerpts from the classical, jazz and contemporary genres. They did two presentations, one for the 5-8 students and one for the K-4 students.  This event was a nice compliment to the schools already very dynamic and productive band program.

 St. John’s is a K-8 Catholic elementary school educating students from St. John's Parish and the Hollywood area. St. John's is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools-Commission on Elementary Schools.

 Although a parish school, the school’s degreed, professional faculty provides a wholesome learning environment for students of all faiths.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland Student Megan Howell on the flute.

Howell is joined by students Linda Cruikshank, on the clarinet, Nicole Lay, on the sax, Jenna Voorhees, at violin, and Dan Avedikian, at the piano.