Great Lakes Mall Hosting an Art Show for Mentor Schools Elementary Students

Great Lakes Mall will double as an art gallery this week when it displays artwork from ' elementary students.

The Mentor Elementary Art Show is a three-day celebration, showcasing the best student artwork from all 10 of the district's elementary schools.

Each school will display about 50 pieces of art for a total of almost 500 drawings, paintings, collages, prints, sculptures and even photos at the show.

The show begins today with an opening night reception at 6 p.m. and continues through Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the concourse.

Every piece of art at the show stems from activities and lessons that support the district's visual arts curriculum, said Jacqui Spetrino, Mentor Schools' department chair for elementary art

"The Mentor public school district is one of the few in the area that has a (kindergarten through 12th grade) visual arts curriculum," Spetrino said. “We’re proud of the unique artwork these talented kids have created and encourage the public to come to the temporary gallery.”

Renee Lanzara, the mall's marketing director, said more than 1,000 people are expected to come to the opening night reception.

Lanzara said the annual art show is a fun way to bring the community together.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to support art in our schools and showcase the work of talented local students,” she said.