School of Fine Arts

The School of Fine Arts (SoFA) began in August 2017 when a vision by Brian Ettensohn, who has taught for twenty-six years, became a reality. Brian had always dreamed of growing the Fine Arts Department at HCHS. He wanted to offer his students more opportunity to learn and prepare them for their career path by offering students a “pathway” for fine arts. It is a school within a school concept. Brian was able to find the people who could make it happen, and together, they formed the SoFA Foundation Board. The School of Fine Arts has been fully supported by Mr. Thompson and the administrative team, as well as, our Superintendent, Mrs. Stanley, and the Central Office.

Henderson County High School already offers pathways for students, where they specialize in the career path they want to take after they graduate high school. However, there wasn’t anything specific for those interested in the arts until now. When students come in as Freshman, they choose a pathway and have elective classes they are required to take. Not every student can be part of SoFA. Students must audition and be accepted. Since most freshman classes are required general education classes, they are currently allowing freshmen to apply since they still have time to get all their electives in during their remaining three years.

SoFA focuses on four areas including art, voice, theatre and instrumental. Brian Ettensohn and Katie Giles teach art, Heather Lacy teaches choir and theatre, Conner Kinmon teaches band and Charlie McManus is Assistant Band and Choir Director. SoFA students may be involved in more than one area but essentially must choose only one of the four areas as their concentration. 

Currently, SoFA students and non-SoFA students are combined within the same classroom. Katie Giles said, “The hope is to get more staff to do exclusive SoFA classes.” It will be much easier on both the teachers and the students, as SoFA students do more both in and out of the classroom. Keeping everything separate within a mixed class of SoFA and non-SoFA students can become very confusing. 

This program has already opened doors for students wanting to pursue their dreams in the arts. One example of the many talents of SoFA students is Samarah Courtney, who won a contest at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in Louisville, KY. She had to listen to a piece of music that the Louisville Orchestra was playing and create an artwork based on that music. She was the First-Place winner. She won as a Freshman and is currently a Sophomore at HCHS. 

This summer, two students helped paint the mural in downtown Henderson. These students are also currently working on a mural during the school day for the Henderson Fire Department. Unfortunately, these two extremely talented students are not in the SoFA program. It isn’t because they weren’t eligible but because after graduation they do not plan to pursue careers in the arts. Therefore, they chose different pathways. Giles explained how this is very common. HCHS has many students who are very gifted within fine arts, and although they are very passionate about their talent, they have other dreams outside of that. 

Giles explained that within the art concentration, she has collaborated with OVAL, Henderson Community College, Art Hop, Marsha’s Place, EasterSeals, the KyAEA Purchase/Pennyrile Region Exhibition, ArtsFest and much more! She is always looking for a way to give her students the opportunity to learn and grow their talents. The 2018-2019 school year has just begun, but students are already busy working on a variety of projects and performances such as organ pipes, a drawing inspired by John James Audubon to be hung at the JJA museum, and an art contest hosted by Mammoth Cave National Park. They will soon be working on works for Art Hop, as well as potential musical performances at Art Hop, and theatre will be preparing for its first production of the year this fall. 

When thinking about the future of SoFA, Giles said, “My absolute dream is to have our own building. A School of Fine Arts building. At least to have all the fine arts within the same vicinity because band, choir, theatre and art are all separated within the school building, so the students and teachers don’t ever really get to see each other when they are all in the same program.” To bring everyone together, the SoFA teachers have been working on doing a lot of outside get-togethers such as bowling, lock-ins, etc. These students are in a SoFA homeroom together, but outside of that, they may not really get a chance to know everyone involved in the program. Another goal is for everyone to understand SoFA and what their program is all about. They showed a promotional video at the W. C. Handy Music Festival this summer. She said, “That is probably my biggest goal for this year is to promote it both inside and outside in the community.” In the music department, they are hoping to get private lessons scheduled during the school day. It is looking like this goal is close to becoming a reality. They also plan to send SoFA students to the middle schools this year to talk to students about the program, so they can start thinking about whether it might be something they would have an interest in joining when they come to high school. 

The School of Fine Arts program is opening doors for students in our community. It’s giving them the opportunity to not only strengthen their talents but really prepare them for life after graduation. Giles said, “If they are wanting to go into any area of fine arts in their career, then they need to do SoFA. It is a hard program because there are a lot of extra things they must do. They must do regular classwork plus more out in the community, but its wonderful for their resume. If they are going into the arts, they definitely need to do it.” 

Lyndi Mauk, editor of Henderson Family Magazine, was born and raised in the Bluegrass State. She is grateful to be going through life alongside her husband and best friend, Brandon, and being a mother to their little girl.