West Holmes K-12 Fine Arts Festival to showcase students

The halls at West Holmes High School will be filled with rows and rows of student art and Excalibur Theater and the gymnasium will be filled with the sound of music when the annual West Holmes K-12 Fine Arts Festival takes place Friday, April 17.

From 5-7 p.m. the show will feature music and artwork from students throughout the district, and food trucks will be available throughout the event. The evening is free to attend, but donations are welcome and will support future events.

The public is encouraged to come and support the students who have poured themselves into their craft, with art projects selected from throughout all elementary schools and the middle school and high school.

What is truly unique about this event is it isn’t simply the best of the best, but a conglomeration of artwork from students of all ages and all talents.

“It’s a major undertaking, but it is a celebration of the arts throughout the entire district,” said Steve Butcher, West Holmes High School band director. “It’s really neat that this event gives so many kids a chance to showcase their talents and feature everything they are doing. So often, especially with art, our kids don’t get the be featured.”

While the halls will be filled with art, Excalibur Theater will host singing from students from kindergarten through high school, and the gymnasium will host all the band performances from sixth grade through 12th grade.

There will be some crafts for the kids in the commons, and the four food trucks at the event will include Amish Country Pizza, Crazy Nate's BBQ, Travelin' Tom's Coffee and Brain Freeze.

Butcher said giving kids a chance to showcase their art projects at a show encourages exploring those gifts further, and it also can inspire others who come to see everything to pursue their own joy of different art forms.

"When children see their artwork displayed publicly like this, it gives them a sense of pride in what they’ve accomplished,” Butcher said. “That builds self-esteem and encourages them to keep creating and using their talents.”

Knowing they’ll have an opportunity to share their work also motivates kids to experiment and be creative, often encouraging them to step outside the box in their thinking and challenging them to push themselves, whether it is art, singing or playing an instrument.

Creating an evening featuring the arts also gives children a chance to talk about their creativity, and seeing their finished project on display helps kids feel proud of completing something from start to finish. That pride can carry over into other areas of learning.

Butcher said the art show also brings the community together and builds relationships as people enjoy seeing the district’s young people shine. There will be more than a few proud parents and grandparents snapping photos of their students singing, playing and showcasing their art.

The West Holmes K-12 Fine Arts Show is about celebrating the arts, community and accomplishment, a night that encourages imagination and creativity.