Frankfort School District's Creative Art Showcase is 'Big Success'

The Frankfort School District 157-C Family School Partnership (FSP) enjoyed a great turnout at its annual Creative Arts Showcase on April 22 at Grand Prairie Elementary School. This event was free and open to all District 157-C pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students.

The showcase featured original art by students from Grand Prairie Elementary, Chelsea Intermediate and Hickory Creek Middle School in the categories of visual arts, performing art and literature. The event also featured student art displays, hands-on art activities and live musical and dance performances.

This year the event’s theme was “Picasso” and focused on famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Students had the opportunity to learn more about the artist through hands-on Picasso inspired crafts, books about his life supplied by the Frankfort Public Library and watching artist Amy Belonio painting a Picasso replica. Families in attendance also could experience a spectacular hallway-size exhibit featuring Picasso’s works sponsored by the FSP. They could see the brushstrokes, feel the vivid colors and really get to know Pablo Picasso through the brightly colored images on lightweight satin fabric that included his famous works of “Night Fishing at Antibes” measuring 7 x 17 feet, “Guernica” measuring 4 x 8 feet, and “The Dream” measuring 4 x 4 feet.

Throughout the evening there were professional artist demonstrations and special attractions provided by local area artists and businesses. These included pottery with Melissa Monroe, recycled art projects with Pam Biesen, live music from Down Home Guitars, monogrammed fabric bookmarks with Gina Barrett, Picasso projects with art instructors Linda Newman and Beth Rogers, and canvas painting with Art Ala Carte.

Special student performances included the Hickory Creek Middle School Show Choir and Chorus led by Leslie Walton, the Lincoln-Way Youth Strings, several student musical performances and a Street of Dreams dance performance. Students enjoyed musical instrument exploration with music instructor Brooke Turnbough. There was also an adaptive art project for students with special needs and face painting by Ephraim’s House.