Art at the Park

Art at the Park (AATP) is Christ Episcopal School’s week-long celebration of the arts, which culminates in our unique take on a school fair.

Kicking off with an adults-only cocktail event, the week progresses with a child-centered, gallery-style art exhibit and reception; the jaw-dropping, student-created Box Parade; and, finally, a Saturday spent on our sprawling campus with confetti eggs, wacky hair, and arts and crafts to spare.

Hosted by the Christ Episcopal School Parent Association (CESPA), it is the school’s largest event, and it brings in significant funding that supports educational enhancements.

The name “Art at the Park” nods to the event’s history. Held in Bogue Falaya Park in its early years, Art at the Park is now held on the bucolic grounds of the Christwood Boulevard Campus (CBC).

Schedule of Events

More details below or coming soon!


 

AATP
Opening Night Party

Click here to purchase your tickets now!

Would you like to donate an item for the silent auction? Please click here and someone from the AATP team will contact you.


 

AATP
Student Art Show Opening Reception

Thursday, April 18, 3-5 p.m.

Dathel Fine Arts Center at the
Christwood Boulevard Campus

The Student Art Show Opening Reception features artwork from all of our students at the CBC, live music, and refreshments. Admission is free. The Student Art Show will also be open to visitors select hours throughout the remaining AATP events.


 

AATP Box Parade

Friday, April 19
(during school hours)

Christwood Boulevard Campus

The traditional Box Parade is held at the CBC, where students in grades 4-12 show off the wearable masterpieces they’ve created with simple cardboard boxes. Younger students–including those from the ECC–and family and friends line the parade route, which also extends to Christwood Retirement Community.

Box Parade Details:

Where and When Box “Floats” Are Made

• Students in grades 4-7 create their individual boxes at home and may begin their design work as soon as they have their boxes.

• Students in grades 8-12 complete their boxes during their designated HS cohort time.

Box Themes by Grade

4th: State Symbols
5th: Cities
6th: Theme Parks and Roller Coasters
7th: Iconic American Food
8th: Louisiana Sights
9th: Natural Wonders
10th: American Music
11th: Monuments
12th: American Sports Teams

Box Parade Rules and Guidelines

1. Be creative and have fun! Try to think “outside the box”!
2. The cardboard box MUST be used, yet not necessarily in its original form.
3. This should be a student led activity with work/designs created mostly by the student. No parental help is expected, but family involvement is certainly welcome!
4. Students must wear the box.
5. The box may have the flaps cut off.
6. A maximum of 1 student per float is allowed (grades 4-7).
7. Boxes must reflect the theme that is assigned to their grade.
8. No throws allowed (i.e. beads, candy, etc.).
9. Floats must be propelled by “kid” power—no motorized vehicles allowed!

Notes:

• Please remember when building a box creation that heavy floats might not make the long journey!

• The judges will be focusing on the rules and student-centered work and creativity.

• All boxes must be considered appropriate for a school setting.

 

Box Parade Awards

Master Artiste: This is awarded for the best use of color within the box float design (one per grade level, 4th-7th; one in high school, 8th-12th).

Most Out the Box: This is awarded for the most creative interpretation of the grade-level theme (one per grade level, 4th-7th; one in high school, 8th-12th).

Best Cardboard Engineer: This is awarded for the best construction of the boxfloat (one per grade level, 4th-7th; one in high school, 8th-12th).

Golden Paint Brush (Best In Show): This is awarded to the best overall boxdesign and execution in each division (Lower School, Junior High, High School).

 

Box Parade Day Specifics

The day begins when students arrive with their boxes (grades 4-7; these boxes were created at home) at the beginning of the school day. All students (including High School) will take their boxes directly to The Diboll (old gym) for check-in upon arrival at school.

All CBC students then participate in the campus Fun Run, organized by Coach Lana Dessauer.

Following the Fun Run, students from the ECC travel to the CBC where all enjoy the exciting Box Parade! Participants will parade through the Lower School side of campus while students from the ECC and those in grades 1-3 – as well as parents and other guests – line the route to cheer. The parade then makes its way through the Intergenerational Pathway and follows a short route to the delight of our Christwood Retirement Community neighbors.

Additional notes on this year’s Fun Run and Box Parade Day:

• CESPA has arranged for the Cherrybomb Coffee Co. cart to be onsite that morning for parents and other guests. More details to come, but plan on being at the CBC early to purchase coffee and pastries before setting up your chairs (please bring from home) along the parade route.

• Thank you to The Greyhound and Del Porto, whose owners will be supplying lunches for all students, faculty, and staff to enjoy following the Box Parade!

• Thank you to the Sojka family for donating the cardboard boxes this year!

• Thank you to Lynne Bordelon for chairing Box Parade again this year!

•  AATP Fun Run and Box Parade Day is a half-day for all students. ECC students will dismiss from the ECC at 11:30 a.m. after returning there by bus from the CBC festivities. CBC students will dismiss at noon.


 

AATP Fun Run

Friday, April 19
(during school hours)

Christwood Boulevard Campus

The Fun Run is a CBC-student-only event featuring a short, cross-country style course through the campus. It precedes the Box Parade, and students are encouraged to wear their AATP t-shirts for the run.

Coach Lana Dessauer and the P.E. Department plan the Fun Run, which is free. No registration is required, and all CBC students are encouraged to run, jog, or walk the course.


 

AATP Day Fair

Saturday, April 20

11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Christwood Boulevard Campus

The Day Fair features games, arts and crafts, auctions, food and beverages, live music (5-7 p.m., The Benchwarmers), and more, promising a day filled with fun for the entire family!

Day Fair Ticket Packages

Day Fair ticket bundles and wristbands are now available for pre-order by clicking here!

Options include VIP Day Fair Bundles with Belt Bag (limited number), Day Fair wristbands, and ticket packages ranging in amounts of 5-100 tickets.

Order yours now for all of the Day Fair fun, which happens on Saturday, April 20 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at the CBC! We’ll have games, inflatables, craft booths, artisan experiences, plant and treat booths, face painting, food and drink, and more! There will also be entertainment from our CES students during Willie’s Roadhouse Rockin’ Music Hour at the Route 66 stage, and we’ll close out the day with music from The Benchwarmers!


 

AATP T-Shirts

AATP t-shirt sales have ended.

Students who ordered a shirt are encouraged to wear it on Friday, April 19, for Fun Run and Box Parade Day!


 

AATP Sponsorship Information

It’s not too late to ride along! Click here for sponsor opportunities that start at just $250 (note: while all sponsorship opportunities still exist, the deadline for inclusion on print materials has passed).


Click here for a printable pdf of the AATP sponsorship opportunities!


Thank you to our ever-growing number of Art at the Park sponsors! Your generosity makes this “Road Trip” possible and supports CESPA’s efforts to raise funds for the school while also providing a week’s worth of fun for the entire CES community!

A huge thank you to these current sponsors:

Grand Canyon
Roy Investments

Times Square
Evangeline Securities
The Alario Family
Todd and Aliska Fuller
Soine Dermatology and Aesthetics
Laborde Products, Brian and Elisabeth LabordeHollywood
The Gray Surety, The Piske Family
The McComiskey Family
Scalise for Congress
Margaret Burns Injury Law
Inspired Healthcare Management, Jeremy and Lisa Goux
Key Home Health Care & Northern Sand and Gravel, Shane and Stacey CambreSouth Beach
Port Ship Service, Inc.

French Quarter
The Reverend Canon Morgan and Mr. Angus MacIntire
Elmer Candy
Mr. Matthew Lyle and Dr. Angela Buonagura
Fr. Seth Donald, Rector, Christ Episcopal Church and School
Dr. Emily Grieshaber and Mr. James Wagner
One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating
Christ Episcopal Church
The Cromwell Family
Joey and Chan Gordon
Beier Construction
Dr. Russell and Simine Reed
NOBRA116, LLC
MSH Architects
Louisiana Hyperbarics, Treanor and Dileo Families
The Children’s Dental Cottage


Arts Week Banner Sponsors – large
SLENT – The Connolly Family
Baldone Reina Dermatology
The Knudsen Family
Senator Patrick McMath

Arts Week Banner Sponsors – small
GMFS Mortgage
Jeffrey Hufft, Attorney at Law, LLC
Arena Collective
The Cronin Family
Gulf Coast Cabinetry, LLC

AATP T-Shirt Sponsors
Mr. and Mrs. Colby Crawford
Edward and Kristin Hernandez
AFX Pro by FX Works, LLC
Friend of Art at the Park
The Digby Family
Drs. Nathan Brown and Alexandra Leigh, Northlake Oral and Facial Surgery
Mike Brandner Law
Todd S. Brasuell Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Jay and Stacy Silverstein
The LaBrosse Family
Covington Trace ER and Hospital, Dr. Matt and Angie Bernard
Maison Lafitte
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Cooley

Eros Clothing Home Outdoor
Annwood and John Ernst

Road Trip Sponsor
Friends of Art at the Park
Chad and Ana PentonIn-Kind Donors
CES Dads Club
Del Porto / The Greyhound
Dorignac’s
Edible Arrangements
The Sojka Family
Sunny Days Craft Club
The Orgeron Family
Children’s Museum of St. Tammany
The Jump Off Inflatables
The Ledet Family
Creative Cakes
Home Depot
Perino’s Home and Garden Center
Culinary Kids

Art at the Park questions? Email [email protected].