ST. GEORGE — Building students’ confidence and art appreciation is the by-product of the annual Springdale Elementary School Student’s Art Show.
This year’s theme is Pouring Paint in Zion. The acrylic artwork hangs in the Canyon Community Center Gallery until May 20. TheK-5 students have been working hard on abstract art projects for weeks. The unveiling reception at the center recently was hosted by the Zion Canyon Arts & Humanities Council (Z-ARTS).
“We had an opening reception that was incredible,” said Trish Rioux, Zion Canyon Arts & Humanities Council digital arts chair. “We had over 110 people in attendance. The kids were there and they talked about their pieces and creations. They’re just super proud. And then the show will stay up and conclude when they graduate in May.”
Springdale artist Hamzeh Pashazadeh, a parent of one of the students, came into the school to help the students learn how to do acrylic pour artwork. The school has historically involved various artists from the community in different art mediums. Springdale Elementary School doesn’t have an art teacher, but art is taught by the teachers each Friday, with special guests in attendance.
The students study with different artists throughout the year and usually for three months at a time. Some art mediums taught include watercolors, photography, sculptures, paper weaving and more three-dimensional art.
“It was just truly incredible,” Rioux said. “So it’s really fun to watch the kids. They were so proud and it’s nice to see that. All the kids came in all decked out. So it was really like going to an art gallery opening.”
Kyla Topham, Springdale Elementary Parent Teacher Organization president, agreed.
“The paintings are just beautiful. You cannot tell the kindergarten paintings from the fifth-grade paintings,” Topham said. “Yet somehow each kid’s personality does come through with the color choices and the way that they chose to swirl the paint. It’s really pretty fascinating and beautiful to look at.”
Topham said the art program is funded through the Rotary Club of Zion Canyon. They hold an art auction for education each year as well.
“This project was supported by the Rotary Club of Zion Canyon and Z-Arts. The project has been a labor of love with many different people from the community supporting our students,” Topham said.
The students’ artwork hangs in the community center where the Springdale Library is located. The gallery is where the hallway connects the two areas. The display will still be up when the school has its graduation in May in the large room at the end of the hallway.
“The exhibit gets to hang through that event and then parents or grandparents who didn’t make it before may be able to make it to the graduation and still get to see their child’s art,” Topham said. “It’s great to see how proud the kids are that they made that and it’s hanging with a spotlight on it. You can tell that they feel very special. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have to say that I never had my art hung in public with a spotlight on it. ”
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