The red carpet was rolled out for Shelton Park Elementary students March 3.
Dressed in sparkly formal wear, art teacher Kaylee McKibben welcomed many of the approximately 400 students and their families to the evening’s inaugural Red Carpet Art Show.
“You’re a star!” she told each young artist upon arrival.
Fourth grader Alannah Wulfsberg shook McKibbens’ hand and entered the show. “I feel like a celebrity,” she said.
Since the beginning of the school year, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students worked with a variety of mediums to create two and three-dimensional art.
They created drawings, paintings, ceramic sculptures, recycled collages, and more. Grade levels focused on different movie themes.
All were on display.
Second grade teacher Kristin Sheely said students couldn’t wait to show off their masterpieces.
“They were so excited to bring their families,” she said.
Pre-K and kindergarten’s movie was “Peter Pan,” while first graders’ work portrayed “Cinderella.” Second and third graders’ artwork was based on “How to Train Your Dragon” and fourth and fifth graders paid homage to “Alice in Wonderland.”
The movies came to life in the hallways. Artists and their families strolled through the show and snapped photos. Many dressed the part and enjoyed free popcorn.
Two Tinker Bells – Saylem Elswick and Magnolia Scott – raced to “Neverland” to find some of their artistic creations. They examined a table covered with clay ceramic stars.
“Here’s mine!” exclaimed Saylem, a Pre-K student. The girls excitedly explained how they made the bright yellow stars with rolling pins and cookie cutters.
Andreea Catana came as “Alice.” The fourth grader said she enjoyed the “Alice in Wonderland” art projects, including making a tiny 3D room and furniture out of paper, a teacup from clay and a vortex hue painting of spiraling colors of pink, black and white. “Alice falls through a tunnel,” she noted.
In the “Cinderella” hall, Kara Cowan and her daughter Abigail received small plastic “glass” slippers as souvenirs. Cowan said Abigail enjoyed the art projects, especially making pumpkins out of clay.
“We are loving this art show,” she said. “So much thought and detail went into tonight; it’s beautiful.”
McKibben thanked the students for their hard work and the teachers and staff who helped bring the red carpet event to life.
“Art in the community is so important,” she said. Students should be proud of their uniqueness and creativity, she noted.
She said her inspiration came from her parents, both educators, and a former teacher, who once held a similar art show event.
“I just want to make art fun,” she said.
Principal Sara Mendez applauded McKibben’s creative vision and said art is a vital part of learning. “It’s important for kids to be well-rounded,” she said. “They should feel proud of their work artistically and academically.”
Everyone was a winner. On the way out, each artist received “The Golden Gallery Award.”
