Art Matters: Centenary’s Art Stroll Shines a Light on Art Education
Art, in all its vastness, is more than just a medium of expression; it's a fundamental way of understanding and interacting with the world. Through artistic mediums like painting, drawing, singing, dancing, theatre, film, pottery, and more, individuals are able to explore their identities, communicate feelings, and find their way through society through limitless creativity. However, despite its significance to the world, teaching young people art has become increasingly marginalized in the American education system. Recent cuts in grant funding, particularly driven by the Trump Administration's executive orders, have resulted in a staggering loss of approximately $427 million for arts programs across the country (Blair, 2025).
Despite these challenges, many local spaces have remained dedicated to providing students with access to artistic resources. Centenary College is at the forefront of this effort with the hosting of its first ever Art Stroll, part of its Bicentennial Bash, a year-long celebration of the college’s 200-year history, on April 3. The event showcased a diverse array of student works and long-form artistic projects, ranging from museum exhibits to poetry readings and theatrical performances.
With students at the center of the Art Stroll, the event exemplified community engagement and creativity. Dr. Cory Wikan, the event organizer and a professor of music, emphasized the importance of this gathering for the Shreveport-Bossier area. He stated, "Art enriches any community not just through entertainment, but by enhancing physical, emotional, and academic intelligence." This sentiment resonated throughout the event, which was a collaboration between Community Engagement, Development, various academic departments, and local organizations, including the Centenary Muses and the Women’s Endowment Quorum.
Student Angelo Nucal, who performed scenes from "Aeneas" with the Centenary Choir, remarked that the event opened "a window into the heart of Centenary's campus." Holly Grose, a staff member from Development who helped organize the event, echoed this sentiment, expressing her hope that attendees would leave feeling inspired, closer to Centenary, and with a newfound perspective on the campus. Additionally, student Kendra Christopher, who read an original poem during the event, emphasized that this gathering was a celebration of student contributions from the past alongside the present.
It is events like these that not only celebrate artistic expression, but also reinforce the vital role that art plays in fostering community and enriching lives. The Centenary Art Stroll serves as a reminder that, in an era where arts education often face significant funding cuts, initiatives as such can also ignite passion, inspire creativity, and unite individuals from all walks of life in communities.
