Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The stars were twinkling bright, and magic was in the air Tuesday evening for the 25th annual Art Under the Stars event at Wetumpka Elementary School. Where students and teachers had thousands of carefully curated artworks on display under the stars throughout the halls.
The artwork was available for “purchase” where parents and community members alike could “purchase” a piece for a donation to a classroom of choice.
“This is a fundraiser because parents can come and purchase the child’s art for a donation. Just a couple of dollars and that helps us to keep this continuing for the next 25 years. We went through a time where education didn’t have a lot of money, and some teachers don’t remember that, but it was tough to do this because the art supplies are secondary to the other supplies that we need unfortunately,” intervention teacher and the Art under the Stars coordinator, Melinda Tyler said.
The school opened to student’s families, friends and the community for the students of Wetumpka Elementary to showcase their hard work and beautiful masterpieces under the stars. Art activities like music, dance, painting and theater help students nurture creativity, develop critical thinking skills and strengthen problem solving abilities as students grow, according to Principal Gigi Hankins.
During the event Moore’s Tasty Food, Clarabelle’s Creamery and Woody’s Italian Ice were available for dinner and treats under the stars. Local artists and musicians were also live painting and performing during the duration of the event.
“This is really a community event, and it brings them into our school, which we haven’t had for a couple of years. So, it’s nice to have it back and see these parents again. Too often families get pulled into different directions, but tonight we see whole families including aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, even the next-door neighbors. This is just a fun night and knowing that families are together tonight is my favorite part,” Tyler said.
Interactive performances were also given by the third and fourth graders for three separate showings on top of the artworks they produced on the walls.
All the different grade levels learned about different artists and their art styles. Pre-k focused on Piet Mondrian, Kindergarten focused on Pablo Picaso, first grade Claude Monet, second grade Henri Matisse, third grade Vincent Van Gogh and fourth grade focused on Alabama artist Mose T.
“Each grade level focuses on different artists. It’s just a fun event that we look forward to each spring. Art is so important at any age, from painting, watercolors to mosaics. But studying the artists and watching the students doing the art and the different kinds was my favorite aspect of this event,” fourth grade teacher Michelle Burdell said.
This event works strictly through donations, to help continue the Art under the Stars tradition, donations can be made directly to the school to continue to foster and expand educational and fun experiences centered around art in Wetumpka Elementary School.
