Age Range: K-12
It all happens within minutes! At times with broad strokes, and at others with intense detail. Vibrant color is set on huge canvases as artwork is choreographed to selected pieces of music playing in the background.
Richard Hight is a renowned inspirational keynote speaker who uses the fine arts to creatively communicate positive, life-changing messages. He is on a mission to help others find their gifts and talents.
Addressing thousands every year, Richard's keynote presentations empower us to take charge and get the results we deserve. As a masterful storyteller with a down to earth, warm and humorous style, Richard provides real-time learning to shift students’ perspectives and inspire them to create forward momentum in their own lives.
Richard’s presentation begins with the dramatic and exciting creation of a stunning sketch of a feature subject on an eight-foot canvas. Students are enchanted by powerful illustration, words and music in a matter of moments. The artwork Richard creates then provides the foundation for his keynote presentation and discussion. At the end of the assembly, your school keeps the impressive creation to display and act as a reminder of the positive, life-changing messages your students learned.
Richard's work has graced museums, corporate and private collections, and has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX television networks. One thing is certain, whether before a crowd of ten or tens of thousands, Richard holds the audience spellbound.
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Choose one for grades K-12:
Dare to Dream
This powerful program focuses on the life and philosophy of the great leader Dr. King and how his dreams and goals helped shape history. Students will leave this session empowered to reach for the stars as they work for the dreams in their hearts.
Eagle Wisdom
After watching Richard complete a stunning illustration of an eagle in just minutes, students will learn about the characteristics of the eagle which allow him to not only soar above the challenges in life, but actually use them to his advantage.
Cartoon Friends
During this hands-on assembly, students will actually learn how to draw cartoon characters! Their imaginations will continue to soar as they also craft stories about the characters they create. This program is designed to build self-esteem and instill creative problem solving skills.
Schools get to keep Richard Hight's creation after the presentation.
*Please thoroughly read the datasheet! Schools are required to provide the materials necessary to build the canvas. These items include: 2 flat black sheets, 4 pieces of lumber and a can of hairspray.
Richard was absolutely wonderful!! His artwork was unbelievable and his stories were inspiring. All the teachers and students were amazed and are still talking about the assembly. Everyone is extremely excited to hang his artwork in our school for all to see. I would highly recommend this program to everyone. No matter what age - Richard offers an important message for all - do what you are best at and don not get caught up in what you are not good at! Focus on the positive! WE LOVED HIM!!!
Karen Golembieski
New Monmouth ES
Middletown, NJ
The students loved it! Very entertaining, wonderful storyteller. The students were inspired to draw their own patriotic drawings after the show.Richard was very professional, easy to work with, receptive to our needs. Many teachers commented on the quality of the artistry and loved the story. One teacher said it was the best assembly she has ever seen. Another said it made her want to be a better mother after hearing the message. Overall positive experience and wonderful show. Thank you!
Leah Valente
Memorial School
Milford, MA
Richard Hight performed "The Art of Inspiration" at Lavallette Elementary School in Lavallette, NJ. It was one of the best programs that we have experienced. Richard's talent is joy to experience. I have forwarded some pictures that I hope you will share with Richard. After the workshop, our students went back to class. They had about 1/2 hour left of the school day. Apparently our 2nd graders went to art. The teacher was so inspired that she had them draw pictures to imitate what Richard had done!
Elaine Schardien, Coordinator of NJ STARS
Ocean County College
Atlantic City, NJ
This is one of the best assemblies I have ever seen. Richard Hight was excellent. My students were mesmerized by his presentation. I definitely would book this assembly again in the future.
Jill Ritter
Liberty ES
Rocky Ford, CO
Just wanted to tell you that Richard Hight was amazing! The kids and faculty loved it!!!
Michele Hood
Roscoe C.S.
Roscoe, NY
Signing up for school assemblies, can at times be guesswork. As organizers, we read reviews, contact others who have had the assembly and generally try to be as diligent as possible in selecting a guest that fits the schools needs. For the most part, the assemblies do as expected and provide students and staff with a positive experience. Unfortunately, some don’t and there is little impact on the school.
Rarely, do assemblies provide inspiration and awe as did our recent assembly presenter, Richard Hight. We chose Richard because of the many positive reviews about his work and the apparent fit with our desire to emphasize the arts in our assembly programs.
While Richard is a gifted artist - his 15 minute drawing of our school mascot, the cardinal was amazing, it was his charisma and story about how he realized his gifts that left the audience most enthralled. While we feel we do an excellent job in teaching academics, it can be difficult to get students to understand the importance of developing their interests and passions as they grow toward adulthood. It is typical for high achieving adults to have strong interests they developed when children and often, those interests become a cornerstone in the personal desire to achieve and learn the value of excellence. It was clear, by the response of our students, that Richard’s story had meaning for many. In the hours and days after the assembly, I heard many students state that they too have skill in art, but as well heard students talk about the gifts they have in other areas.
On a personal level, Richard was also impressive because of his sensitivity the unusual make-up of the Lake View school community. Our school is home to several special education programs that includes students with profound handicapping conditions. For some speakers, this can be difficult, especially as some of our students make noises as they become excited. I was more than please to find that Richard was very comfortable with our students, even asking to visit some of our more profoundly handicapped students in their classroom after the assembly. Richard apparently has a daughter with challenges and fully understands that these students can be reached; with his unique combination of storytelling, art, and music being fully accessible by these students. They, like the rest of our student body thought that Richard was “cool, awesome, and fantastic.”
For all the above, I offer a sincere thank-you to Richard for his time at Lake View and want to encourage others to sign up for his school assembly. It was a great experience for all in the Lake View community.
Mike Weibel - Principal
Lake View ES
Auburn, WA
This show was incredible! Richard Hight is an amazing artist who really connected with our students. Everyone loved this assembly.
Tracy Spalding
Middle School North
Farmingdale, NJ
Richard was wonderful. There was a big ahh when the kids realized what he had drawn. He really connected with the children, got down on there level. We would definitely recommend his assembly to others!
Gina Schroeder
Rosa Parks ES
Redmond, WA
I just wanted you to know what a delight it was to meet and enjoy Richard this morning. Our children loved his presentation and the murals he left for us are beautiful and vibrant reminders of the day and the message. We had a great time chatting, as well. So...a great experience, a wonderful, authentic and gifted presenter and...you were pretty incredible, too. Every encounter was a positive one. You couldn’t have been nicer or more helpful.
Dr. Karen C. Dietrich - Executive Director
Catholic School Partnership
Camden, NJ
Wonderful program. Kept the students entertained with artwork and personal experience. He adapted the artwork to meet the needs of the school. Could not recommend this program enough!
Shannon Maloney
Parkman ES
Enfield, CT
The students loved seeing the art produced in front of their eyes. We feel fortunate to have the pictures hanging at our school now!
Michelle Ferroggiaro
Mullan Road ES
Spokane, WA
We loved the assembly! One fourth grade teacher stated, “This is the best assembly I have ever seen!” She has taught for several years. The other teachers echoed the same and the students were enthralled and completely engaged! You were right about him being a terrific guy. His son was with him and was also a gem. I am so glad things worked out, and thank you for making that happen. I would not have wanted to miss this show. I can proudly be an advocate of the performance. I have several teachers who want to recreate a similar project with their students... and again, thank you for making this happen in the midst of confusion!
Sue Geddes - Principal
Jasper Elementary
Alta Loma, CA
Richard Hight and his assembly was awesome! The kids and teachers loved it!
Thank you!!!!!
Bob Pape
Army Trail School
Addison, IL
Great show! The kids are still talking about it!
Sean Kirkland
Salem JHS
Salem, OH
What an EXCELLENT presentation! Mr. Hight is an excellent artist as well as an outstanding storyteller. His message was inspiring and his assembly kept all of the students engaged and interested by using music, art and storytelling to encourage students to find their talents and then serve others. It was one of the best school presenttions I have ever seen!
Cathy Stapleton
Amelia HS
Batavia, OH
Richard Hight was here yesterday and performed in 2 assemblies for us. What a wonderful and gentle man. He is certainly a great storyteller and kept the audience captivated with his art and inspiring wisdom. Thank you for recommending him!
Rebekah Grinnen, Social Studies Teacher
Seneca Valley Senior High School
Harmony, PA
Richard did a fantastic job! His work is outstanding! His motivational speech tied in perfectly with our end of the year dream lessons! Thank you!
Julie Braido
Northeast MS
Bethlehem, PA
His work is beautiful. He is a down-to-Earth man with excellent morals and motivation. A must have for any event. --- Justin H.
Wilmington College Elementary School
Wilmington, OH
Posted: 2009-03-30
Q: Will this Program Work for my Group?
The answer is: YES...BECAUSE WE TAILOR IT TO YOUR MESSAGE! Richard will fine-tune his presentation to meet the exact needs of your organization. Richard's performances have captivated professional groups, organizations, audiences as large as 10,000, and all-sized groups that just need to add some life to their events....and NEVER left an audience disappointed! Richard has performed for groups including businesses, fundraisers, trade shows, state/national student and professional organizations, and more.
This is how it works:
Richard will contact you to discuss the specific purpose of this meeting (assembly, staff workshop, etc.) and ask for the theme for his presentation. Using this information, he will draw a picture that relates to your theme on a large canvas. The lights go down, inspirational music comes up and everyone is captivated. It's funny to watch students with their mouths open, it happens every time! Richard then brings the picture to life.
Q: How long does the chalk art illustration and keynote presentation take?
Without a keynote message attached, it takes approximately 15 minutes to draw the picture, 3 minutes to set it up and close it with an encouraging thought from Richard. A total keynote program with the message included can go from 45 minutes to a little over 1 hour, depending on your time slot.
Q: Will this work for my event?
Two million people can't be wrong! If you're ready for something amazing, captivating, different, and that will make you look good as a planner/sponsor...this is it!
Q: What types of themes do Richard's pictures and messages fit?
For outstanding summer camp shows, please visit Outstanding Camp Shows
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