Students at Pleasantdale School had the chance to show off their artistic side on May 10 during the annual People’s Choice Student Art Show.
Each student had the opportunity to submit multiple two-dimensional and three-dimensional entries for the show.
“I thought it was successful again,” said Grade 5 teacher Heather Lavoie, who helped organize the event. “The parents … and families made a special point to be there.”
The support from parents has always been strong for the show, and Lavoie noted that about 180 votes were received that night.
Lavoie was impressed with the artwork.
“I think there were a lot of projects that were well thought-out, and a lot of hours spent at home,” said Lavoie.
Kids showed a lot of creativity to make individual, one-of-a-kind projects.
“I think the interest in the do-it yourself technologies helped with that, because there’s such a variety of them,” she said. “It was nice to see.”
The students ultimately determine how much work they will put in. Each can have up to two pieces of two-dimensional work for the wall, which includes photography, painting and drawing. And they could submit two more three-dimensional works, which included sculptures, woodwork and crochet.
Some students might submit four projects, and other might not participate at all. Teachers can’t force a student to submit a work.
“They choose what to enter, and they choose if they want to or not,” said Lavoie. “It’s a total personal choice.”
Some of them get excited a couple of months in advance, and they work on it at home, she said. They want to surprise their peers with the finished work.
“They’re just so excited when they come that night, and they ask people to come look at their artwork, and they get to tell you it’s right here or it’s on the wall. It’s like a gallery atmosphere, and they’re excited that all these people are going to see their artwork up on the wall, and that’s the best part,” said Lavoie.
Awards were handed out in several different age groups for table art and wall art.
In the Kindergarten to Grade 2 division, Levi Garagan finished first in the table art division for Log House, while Jada Johnson took top spot in the wall art for Unicorn Delish.
In Grades 3 to 5, Hanna Sharer was first for Move Like a Waterfall in table art, while Kora Dowhanuik was first in wall art for Majestic Unicorn.
As for Grades 6 to 8, Halle Shaver finished first in table art for her submission Ellie, while Randi Milbrandt was first in wall art for Swimming Puppies.
