Published: July 18, 2008 09:58 pm      

33 attend Summer Arts Institute

EDMOND — LONE WOLF — Thirty-three Edmond high school students studied with an “X-Men” star, Ansel Adam’s protégé, and many more award-winning artists at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain. This two-week academy provides intensive training for Oklahoma high school students in the visual, literary and performing arts.

“I am extremely excited about attending OSAI this summer!” said Leah Coleman, an Edmond North High School student studying acting. “Many people I know have attended OSAI before and have returned raving about the camp.”

During the past 31 summers, many famous artists have taught at OSAI, including recipients of the Academy, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Awards. This year’s faculty artists include actress Famke Janssen of Los Angeles and photographer Huntington Witherill of Monterey, Calif. Janssen has starred in all three “X-Men” movies and was a “Bond Girl” in the mega-hit “GoldenEye.” She has starred in numerous other films opposite such renowned actors as Liam Neeson, Sir Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Robert De Niro and many more.

Witherill is a legend in the field of photography, having studied with Ansel Adams and many other famous photographers. With more than 90 exhibitions and two photography books to his credit, Witherill was named “Artist of the Year” by the Center for Photographic Art.

“This opportunity to study with some of the nation’s finest artists can be a life-changing experience,” said Julie Cohen, Oklahoma Arts Institute president. “We are thrilled to have Edmond represented by these very talented students at the 2008 Summer Arts Institute.”

The OSAI schedule is intense. Edmond students study a chosen discipline for at least six hours a day, and in the evenings attend a variety of performances, lectures and demonstrations in all of the fine arts. Edmond students are part of an elite group of 275 Oklahoma high school students chosen for the prestigious program through competitive statewide auditions out of a pool of almost 1,100 applicants.

“I am extremely excited for this unique opportunity to not only learn from the gifted instructors but the other students that will attend OSAI,” said Cameron Webster, an OSAI orchestra student who attends Central Middle School.

In conjunction with their acceptance, Edmond students received full scholarships to OSAI.

“I consider OSAI both an honor and a tremendous opportunity to learn from highly qualified professionals and improve my knowledge and skills,” said Iancu Tomlinson, an Edmond Memorial High School student studying film and video. “I am very thankful for this opportunity and the generosity that has provided it to me.”