Through diligence and guidance from teachers, the district’s kindergarten through eighth grade students showcased their art during Indian Valley Public Library’s (IVPL) annual art show running from March 5-April 6.
Students from each of the elementary and middle schools across the school district had the opportunity to display their art at the local library over the course of a month.
According to Oak Ridge fifth grader Lorelei Kinneman, her art being in the community is something she feels proud of. “I just like knowing that a lot of people are seeing it,” Kinneman said.
As the students’ art is an active part of the community, they feel their impact stretches farther than just the halls of their school.
For Indian Valley eighth grader Octavian Bilotti, he takes pride in the fact that others appreciate his personal artwork.
“I like that people acknowledge my work of art,” Bilotti said. “I feel like I’ve done well in the art I’ve created.”
Not only do family members get to view the art, but anyone who enters the library takes pleasure in the sight of the vivid walls and displays.
According to Indian Valley Public Library director Tracy Reed, celebrating the youth art is “amazing” to her.
“Just walking through and seeing it brighten the walls and brighten the shelves,” Reed said, “it makes me smile every morning when I turn on the lights.”
The capability to create such captivating artworks is part of what amazes Reed, as well as other viewers who stopped by during the art show’s reception, which took place March 12, 5:30-7 p.m.
Reed said that around 600 people attended this reception, filling the halls with crowds of people observing the art.
According to Reed, it was a “celebration of our community” and that the show brings people together.
A crucial part of the organization and success of this event is the guidance and instruction from the art educators themselves.
From a different perspective, up until this year, the high school has participated in the IVPL art show.
Art coordinator Sean Redmond has helped students with their art in the show until last year.
According to Redmond, the students having these opportunities to express and put themselves out of their comfort zone is rewarding. “It gives them a lot of self confidence,” Redmond said.
The talent that the students showcase reaches beyond the high school, not only various art shows, but the IVPL art show combines all grades and represents them coming together, seeing how students develop through each year.
This year, Kinneman’s art displayed was of an abstract zebra.
Bilotti’s art was a nametag, replacing the letters of his name with objects that shared the same first letter.
Both of these students have had art in the show in past years, expressing passion and artistic ability.