Celebrating Creativity: Inside Baltimore Poly’s Fine Arts Festival

By Jack Basl | June 23, 2026

On Wednesday, May 20th, the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, better known as Poly, held their Fine Arts Festival, where it celebrated the students' works of art and the launch of the Poly Journal. The festival was put together by the fine arts teachers. One art room was full of art, hallways were lined with art, and Poly’s lecture hall was where the teachers presented videos and photos that highlighted students' work.

The festival started with a gallery of all the AP Art students’ work put up throughout the classroom. Many were in amazement at the talent of these creative students. There were arts of all different media covering a wide variety of topics. It is really cool to go and see brush strokes or the blend of oil pastels create amazing works of art. After around an hour or so of snacks, mingling, and looking at art, the art teachers highlighted some student artists and allowed some people, students or parents, to just say a few words.

Once the AP Art section of the festival was over, it was time for the Poly Journal to take the spotlight. The teacher who runs the Poly Journal, Ms. Serpick, shared some words about the making of the Poly Journal. Once she was done, three students who were published in the Poly Journal came up to read their pieces aloud. All three students created great works of writing and should be proud to be published in the Poly Journal. One of the students had this to say, "Really cool to see my work in writing. I was nervous, but glad I did it.” With the Poly Journal being published, I also asked one of the students who worked hard to put the Poly Journal together so that it could be published. He had this to say: “Editing is routinely one of my favorite parts of Polygraphs every year, and we did a great job this year.” That was the general thought everyone had who worked on the Poly Journal, it seemed.

Once the Poly Journal launch was over, people were given time to roam the halls that were lined with all the art students’ works from this past year. There were small, large, complex, simple, etc., all over the hallways. It was amazing to see all the hard work from the students and teachers. During this time, the Poly-Western Band played some songs, which were lovely to hear. There are some wonderful musicians.

The final section of the festival was a presentation that all the fine arts teachers put together to highlight what they have done, specific students, and their classes as a whole. The band showed off all the performances they have done and where and for whom they have played. Film and Video presented two films that the students of that class produced. Creative Writing talked more about their class and the creation of the Poly Journal. The Fine Arts Department showed off students' work, presented one student with money they won from the Courting Art Baltimore contest, and highlighted the creation of sets for Poly’s production this year, Grease. Speaking of Grease, Acting highlighted the wonderful production the students put on, and at the end, had one of the students sing "Goodbye Sandra Dee," and it was incredible singing. Finally, Shakespeare showed off some of the works that the students are producing, and that will be put out later this year.

With that, after wonderful hours, the Poly Fine Arts Festival for the school year of 25-26 came to an end. It truly was incredible to see all the amazing art and witness the launch of the Poly Journal. These students are incredible at what they do, and it is awesome to see teachers enable and praise such creativity.