Arts in Education highlights region’s youngest creators
Zoe Hall proudly stands behind her creation in the Arts in Education Showcase.
A group of smiling kids and adults piled off the Mitchell Transportation van and rushed into the Kokol Gallery at Toe River Arts in downtown Spruce Pine on Saturday, March 4.
They were there for the reception celebrating the Arts In Education Showcase. The show featured the artwork of Mitchell County school children from kindergarten through 12th grade.
“What a wonderful and creative time we had at Toe River Arts with our Mitchell County community looking at art, making art and listening to the first public performance of a band made up of local high schoolers,” said Alena Applerose, Toe River Arts community outreach coordinator. “That’s the spirit of the Arts In Education Showcase— celebrating each other and how we’re all a part of the journey of the arts.”
The show ran from Feb. 11 through March 11. The work of students from public, private and home schools in Mitchell County was featured.
Castles inspired by “Crispin” built by Bowman students in Cindy Ollis’ eighth-grade class were on display, as well as an eclectic selection of other student works.
Lilia Roberts of Mayland Early College High School displayed her anime-inspired drawings. Alena and Danny Astello Gomez cut and glued paper to make colorful creations right in the gallery. Zoe Hall filled a paper pond with snakes and other creatures.
Baked Wizards, a band made up entirely of area high schoolers, performed at the gallery as part of the showcase reception. The reception was the first public appearance by Baked Wizards.
Applerose said it was the epitome of the spirit of the showcase.
“The showcase celebrates the creative achievements of our students and honors the dedication shown by the wide variety of art educators in Mitchell County who nurture creativity and artistic growth,” she said.