Carnival ah! took ACC students, faculty, and staff out of the classroom and into the sun on April 12 and 13 to celebrate arts and humanities in the community. With everything from one-man shows, to dance classes, to art sales, Carnival ah! packed a plethora of creative interests into the courtyard of the Rio Grande Campus.

Lyman Grant, dean of arts and humanities, and Arthur Adair, Carnival ah! project manager

“Just enjoy the excitement in the air,” says Arthur Adair, adjunct drama professor and Carnival ah! project manager. “The Rio Grande Campus is in the middle of this thriving city. We are an integral part of the arts and humanities scene, and there are so many professionals at ACC to show off their work here.”

Artists ranged from students looking to take the first step in their art career to faculty showing their expert pieces. Martha Soto, adjunct professor of jewelry, was excited to work beside her student Ayanna Spears as they sold their handmade jewelry.

Chris Long, an art major, has participated in Carnival ah! all four years of the festival and has enjoyed being a part of the selling experience. “So much about surviving as an artist is working with customers. Plus you get to look at your art in a different way as customers are interacting with it,” says Long.

Dance students Dawn Roberts and Lindsay Robinson show off their moves

Alongside the art sales, stages held live dance and theater performances.

Dance major Yvonne Keyrouz was happy to show her dance movement to the public for her second year. She shared what many feel is celebrated at Carnival ah! “We want to show everyone outside our classrooms what we are doing, and showcasing our work in this gorgeous weather isn’t too bad either.”

Inside a large tent, film major Ryan Bogenruif screened about 20 student and faculty short films. “A lot of the films show the talent of the students not necessarily done in school, but also their outside work as well,” he says.

Photography major Rocco Pelosi and his work

Photography major Rocco Pelosi used his first time at Carnival ah! to show and sell his still-life photography. After a long career in public health, Pelosi decided to change his career to his lifelong passion for photography. “ACC’s photography program is the best. The professors are true working professionals who not only teach you the theory behind photography, but also how to run a business and work on your own,” says Pelosi.

For the past four years, Carnival ah! has served as a stage for hundreds of artists and performers to show their talent. To check out past year’s event, visit the Carnival ah! website. View a full album of photos from Carnival ah! on ACC’s official Facebook page.