Showcasing a wide variety of fine arts–including band, art, and choir–the annual Virginia Duff Fine Arts Festival is a night of celebrating creative students.

The festival, named after longtime educator Virginia Duff, began by honoring her contributions to local arts education.

“This year, we took the time with our students to read a brief biography of Virginia Duff,” Spencer Finch, Tenn. Middle School Band Director said. “She was an awesome force for good and for music in our city.”

Virginia Duff contributed to fine arts by teaching in the BTCS school district for a whopping 51 years, from 1957-2007. She taught students from elementary through high school the importance of music.

Although this festival honors Virginia Duff and her contributions, the greatest tribute is seen in the students’ growth and dedication to making this festival possible.

“I believe the experience can be educational for students and the people in our community to see how our students are growing and enjoying the arts,” Dennis Cumbow, music teacher at Fairmount Elementary said. “It also shows our students abilities and talents.”

Between bands and choirs performing, various student art exhibits displayed a wide variety of crafts and drawings. Each piece has a meaning or a story behind it, such as the portraits of Haynesfield third graders aboard a Viking Longship. Whether drawn with pencil, crafted by cardboard, or drawn digitally, these art pieces display students’ talents and their hard work. 

“Students who participate in the arts usually have a naturally formed peer group and score higher in creative thinking and problem-solving questioning,” Meglyn Deel, music teacher at Haynesfield Elementary said.