The ‘Sparks Fly’ fundraiser involved students from West Hartford’s Conard and hall high schools.

Submitted

The Second Annual “Sparks Fly!” fundraising event held on May 1, 2025, was a resounding success, raising over $600 for The Nature Conservancy and bringing together the remarkable talents of West Hartford’s Conard and Hall High School Guitar and Visual Arts students in an unforgettable evening of creativity and community.

Held at the West Hartford Town Hall auditorium, the event welcomed a large crowd of parents, families, students, and community members, including Mayor Shari Cantor, and Superintendent of Schools Paul Vicinus, all in support of student artists and environmental stewardship. This year’s celebration featured 20 student vendors, 19 student performers, and 19 donated prizes, including a complete drum set generously given by Music & Arts.

A true collaboration between the Guitar and Visual Arts students, Sparks Fly! showcased live music performances and a stunning visual art exhibition, including vendors. Guests browsed and purchased student-created works while enjoying musical performances. The event reflected the power of the arts to create a space of belonging, connection, and purpose. Student leader Brady Araujo Cardoso profoundly commented, “This event symbolizes humanity’s union to overcome the darkness of this world and to  find hope through art and music. Life is art and art is life. It is history that no matter the odds, art still thrives. Still survives. We should  be able to do the same.” 

Conard junior and student leader in Sparks Fly!, Nani Sanchez, wrote and performed an original  anthem expressing about the importance of paying attention to nature and the beauty that surrounds us in everyday life. This song will serve as the event’s anthem for years to come. She shared about the meaning of the event: “Nature, art and music are a big part of our lives. These small opportunities we get to help grow our world impact us to make something beautiful. This event puts everything together to produce an impact on our lives and world.”

High school Visual Arts teachers, Jessica Fallis and Sarah Regan from Conard, and Kristina Tsantiris from Hall, serve as facilitators for the National Art Honor Society who were  a driving force behind the event’s success. Fallis shared insight about the meaning of this event, “It is important that students can see what impact the Arts can have beyond their art classes and that they can be part of something bigger than themselves.” Tsantiris added, “We are proud of the students and  the work they put in. It is amazing to see them working for the broader community.”

Created by Music educator Alfredo Grado and Visual Arts educator and supervisor Pam Murphy, Sparks Fly! was designed as a student-led initiative to amplify creative voices and to build community. This year’s success reflects their vision in action, an immersive, joyful event that brought people together while raising funds to support the Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit chosen by the students. Grado shared, “This is a wonderful gathering of students and colleagues to support the community and CT’s natural beauty.” Murphy added, “ There is an overwhelming sense of collaboration and belonging with Sparks Fly!  Bringing it to life through student-led groups and coordinated planning and fundraising resulted in an event that celebrated Visual Arts and Guitar students,who are not typically recognized in this impactful way.”

With its strong attendance, enthusiastic participation, and generous community support, Sparks Fly! emphasized the importance of student creativity and community connection. James Cramer from the Nature Conservancy stated, “We are honored to partner with such talented artists at Sparks Fly. The Nature Conservancy considers art, artists, and conservation to be linked. We have a long history of working with artists who have tied their work to conservation such as artist, writer, and naturalist James Prosek and scientist, explorer, and artist Dr. Kat Owens of the University of Hartford, and for the second year in a row, the students from Sparks Fly. Congratulations on another successful year!”

The evening was a shining example of what can happen when visual arts, music, and a common purpose come together.

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