Published: April 24, 2008 10:02 am            

Celebrating diversity through artwork at NA-FC event

The 13th Annual Children Around the World Art Exhibit brought students, parents and administrators from the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. together Wednesday, but the one thing that was missing was the art teachers.

The annual ceremony recognizes the winning artwork created by children from each grade level at every elementary school. Out of 68 entries, five were purchased for $15 by the corporation. Those will be displayed for one year at the Administrative Services Center and then they will be moved to the students’ individual schools to be permanently displayed.

Usually, art teachers present the awards, but all eight chose not to go. Doug Taylor, president of the NA-FC Education Association, said that is because all teachers are being asked to stop doing voluntary services until a contract is reached in the collective-bargaining process. He filled in for the teachers and presented the awards.

“I think it’s (the art show) a good opportunity for kids to shine and to recognize elementary artwork,” Taylor said.

At the art exhibit, students and their families got to enjoy cookies and punch and walk through the hallway where all 68 pieces were displayed.

“Oh, my breath was taken away when I saw her (Hannah’s) artwork,” said Donna Poff, as she continued to admire her daughter’s piece. “It was better than I expected. She’s 11 years old for goodness sakes!”

“Wow,” Charlotte Poff said, looking at her granddaughter’s artwork. “That would look really nice hanging in the living room.”

Deborah Wesley, who organizes the event, said the idea came from her wanting to bring more diversity awareness to the schools. So, she came up with the idea to have teachers pick a country and have their students research it and create a piece of art depicting what they learned.

“It’s everything together,” Wesley said. “They’re reading, they’re writing and applying their artistic skills. It’s fun.”

Those lessons may even have a broader reach.

“I think this will serve as an encouragement for her,” said Leona Watson, referring to her 8-year-old daughter, Brittany. “I think with her art piece being picked, it’s going to make her want to do more.”

Emily Lane, 7, was one of the five chosen to be paid for her artwork.

“I’m surprised, because I didn’t think I’d win it,” she said.

When asked how she was going to spend her $15, she grinned and said she wanted to buy Webkinz, which is a virtual pet played with on the computer.

Francine Gettelfinger smiled when her daughter’s name was called as one of the five winners, then she realized what that meant.

“Oh ... they’re going to take the artwork,” Gettelfinger said. “I’ll just have to have Annie make me another one.”

        

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