Students display their talents at Del Val’s District Arts Festival

Alumnus Reed Pursell returns to Del Val to showcase award-winning artwork

Levi Buczkowski, Games Manager

April 15, 2025

Some of the student-made artworks featured at the District Arts Festival in the Commons.

Del Val hosted its annual District Arts Festival on March 27 to celebrate the talents of students who participate in the arts.

The festival featured an art gallery of students’ work; performances by the mixed concert band—a group made up of students from Del Val and its sending districts—the Golden Blues, Del Val’s jazz band; and performances by the choir and Vox Blue.

Also showcased at the event was Del Val alumnus Reed Pursell’s artwork. His piece, titled “Walking Flat,” is a series of photographs showing Pursell lying facedown in various locations.

“Walking Flat” has been displayed in numerous art shows, such as the ArtYard in Frenchtown, the State Art Festival and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Pursell was awarded the 2024 National Scholastic Art Silver Medal for the piece and will attend an awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall in June.

Alumnus Reed Pursell standing beside his artwork, “Walking Flat,” in the Commons. (Ella Genovese)

“In a relentless world that never stops and a time that gives no mercy, it’s easy to let anxiety and depression take control,” Pursell wrote on a plaque accompanying his art piece. “I often find myself overwhelmed by these feelings, shutting down while the world moves around me. Through my work, I lay still, merging with these emotions. Creating this body of work has been a therapeutic method for confronting life’s stressful realities and hardships, allowing me to step outside my mind and observe my feelings from a different perspective… The subject of these photos is both myself and the environment, sometimes merging into one. This artistic exploration has provided a space to confront and express my inner turmoil, serving as therapy and offering clarity and peace amidst the chaos.”

A closer look at “Walking Flat.” (Ella Genovese)

Thomas Hayden, Del Val’s band director, emphasized the importance of the District Arts Festival to Del Val and its community.

“The District Arts Festival is an opportunity to showcase our extraordinarily talented students to their community, who can then, in turn, provide their support for these students and the process that got them there,” Hayden said.

Students interested in participating in the District Arts Festival can do so by joining the concert band, Golden Blues jazz band, chorus, Vox Blue or other visual art programs, such as photography or ceramics.

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About the Contributors

Levi Buczkowski, Games Manager

Levi Buczkowski is a freshman at Del Val. This is his first year writing for The Delphi. He also participates in the school’s concert band. In his spare time, he loves to read, write, play his trombone and learn to play the guitar. He is also a huge fan of sci-fi entertainment.

Ella Genovese`, Managing Editor

Ella Genovese is a sophomore at Del Val. This is her second year writing for The Delphi. She is the Managing and Sports Editor for this year. She also is a stage manager for this year’s fall play and enjoys being involved in the theater department. In her free time, Ella likes to swim, read, write and listen to music.