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<\/p>\nStudents from Virginia Beach Middle School (VBMS) have been invited to take part in a special art show at Keystone Education Services, which will display a diverse array of art skills and talents, including paintings, sketches, pottery, printmaking and metal works. Not only is the community welcome to attend this show to enjoy the artwork, visitors to the exhibit can actually purchase a favorite piece of artwork or two to take home. All proceeds from the sale will fund a $500 scholarship for a graduating senior pursuing an art degree this fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an authentic learning opportunity for our students to experience life as a working artist,\u201d says Virginia Beach Middle School art teacher Leah Kruger. \u201cThey have been able to go through the full circle of the creative process from brainstorming to creating to displaying their work for the community, working with a real business, with the chance to sell some of their pieces. It doesn\u2019t get more real world than this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students in grades six through eight learned printmaking techniques in class which can be seen in many of the artworks. Sixth-grader Alyssa Serrano\u2019s \u201cCommunity\u201d exemplifies the Intaglio technique.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis technique means \u2018cut into\u2019 and that\u2019s what I used to create the plant and animal life along the dunes,\u201d she said. \u201cI wanted the seagull to be the main focal point.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Seventh-grader Larissa Carr has moved three times in the past two years and was more than willing to sign up for a zero bell to have the opportunity to participate in the Gifted Visual Arts Program this year. In addition to getting to know her teachers, she found that working with students from Old Dominion University\u2019s Higher Education Center during the printmaking unit offered her a chance to strengthen her skills as an artist, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cI liked being able to use the different styles being shown in class,\u201d Carr said. \u201cUsing Prisma markers mixed with watercolors makes for a more realistic and natural piece which I hope is what comes across in my artwork here.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Carr, who has wallpapered her bedroom with 53 of her best drawings, also shared that wood burning, painting on cardboard with monochromatic colors and self-portraits were among her favorite projects.<\/p>\n
This exhibit was made possible to VBMS Partner in Education (PIE), Keystone Education Services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe art show also includes three customized surfboards that would be a wonderful addition to any home at the beach,\u201d says Allison Hess, director at Keystone. \u201cIn fact, I\u2019ve already purchased one that will stay right here for my students and their families to enjoy (and me, of course). I love working with schools to promote the arts. Students are eager to escort their families and friends from room to room where they hear rave reviews about their creativity and flair.\u201d<\/p>\n
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