Second-graders explore the arts at TFAC during Immersive Learning Day
Published 1:22 pm Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Polk County Schools’ second-grade students recently traded their classrooms for a day of creativity, exploration, and inspiration at the Tryon Fine Arts Center, taking part in a vibrant Arts Immersion Day that brought them face-to-face with some of the region’s most talented artists and educators.
Students rotated through a variety of hands-on stations spanning visual art, music, theater, poetry, and arts-integrated learning – each led by an accomplished mentor sharing their craft directly with young learners.
The day’s roster of artists and educators included retired art teacher Clara Rogers, theater artist Michelle Newman, poet David Riddle, and professional visual artist Courtney Cotton. Students also explored hands-on experiences with Lori Lonon, traditional musicians Phil and Gaye Johnson, indigenous music expert Julie Moore, and musician Brennan Szafron.
The breadth of artistic disciplines on display gave students a rare opportunity to engage with the arts in an immersive, real-world setting – moving beyond the classroom and into an environment where creativity takes center stage.
Staff returned inspired, with teachers already planning follow-up activities to extend and deepen the experiences their students carried home from the day.
