The Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) is making significant strides in the realm of arts education and community well-being. With its Dance and Visual Arts Conservatories joining forces with Safe Harbor, an organization dedicated to mental health, an extraordinary event is set to unfold. This collaboration aims to explore the profound connections between wellness and the mind/body, offering a unique experience through dance, live art, and an exhibition.

Uniting Art and Wellness

The evenings of December 13 and 14 at 7 pm in the Coronado Performing Arts Center and lobby will be a deeply moving and inspiring affair. Gina Sorensen, CoSA Dance Conservatory Chair, describes it as a "collision of dance, art and catharsis." The production will showcase original dances by CoSA Dance and live art by CoSA Visual Art, accompanied by an exhibit in the lobby.This event is the result of a six-month journey, with dance student Jeriah Valentin highlighting how humans often grapple with emotional entanglements such as stress, grief, and mental disorders. These "knots" became the starting point for the collaboration between CoSA Dance and Visual Arts, who worked with Safe Harbor to engage in mindfulness strategies and art-making to untie these emotional ties.In the dance production of "Unravel," faculty and student choreographers delve into themes like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Body Dysmorphia, ADHD, the significance of supportive relationships, and self-talk. One remarkable piece is "Love and Armor" by CoSA Dance Director Gina Bolles Sorensen. It features the full CoSA Dance ensemble and brings attention to parent-child relationships, emphasizing the need to equip children with the armor to face life's challenges.Visual Arts students have also taken a closer look at how they support themselves and maintain balance in the face of daily living challenges. An exhibit of paintings in the lobby will showcase how students incorporate positive mental health practices into their lives, as explained by Visual Arts Chair Karrie Jackson.

The Impact of the Collaboration

By bringing together dance and visual arts with the goal of promoting wellness, this collaboration has the potential to make a lasting impact. It provides a platform for artists to express and explore these important themes, while also offering the community an opportunity to engage with art in a meaningful way. The performances and exhibits not only showcase the talent of CoSA students but also serve as a reminder of the power of art in healing and personal growth.Students and artists alike are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Safe Harbor Coronado. Safe Harbor's commitment to mental health and its comprehensive programs for youths and families make this collaboration even more significant. It shows that art and wellness can go hand in hand, creating a more balanced and resilient community.

The Importance of CoSA

CoSA is San Diego County's premier public school arts conservatory, home to 200 scholar artists from grades 9 through 12. It offers an intense, pre-professional arts education, pairing young artists with industry specialists. With a curriculum designed by professional artist/educators, students are immersed in their chosen specialty in one of six conservatories: Classical and Contemporary Dance, Digital Arts, Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre & Drama, Theatre Production, Design & Management, and Visual Art.The award-winning student artists perform and exhibit at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, which is also available for rent to local organizations. A significant portion of the CoSA budget is raised by the CoSA Foundation, highlighting the community's support for the arts. By making a donation at www.cosafoundation.org, you can contribute to the continued growth and success of the arts in education.Join us as we witness our dancers and artists process life's challenges and celebrate personal growth. For more information about "Unravel" and to purchase tickets, visit CoSASanDiego.com.