Pleasantdale School hosted a successful virtual People's Choice Art Show from June 2-7.
For the second year in a row, the school opted for an online show for everyone's safety. But since the format was known to participants and voters, everything went even better than last year.
Principal Michelle Smart said that unlike last year, this time students were in school, which also helped to attract more attention to the event.
"The entries were way up from last year. Last year we weren't in school and we had it digital. We still had to do it digitally this year, but we were in school. So we were able to promote it a little better. And people were in the school mode," Smart noted.
They had over 75 pieces of art entered, which is similar to the regular amount, and at the end, they had over 500 votes cast. Anyone in the community had two days to vote for their favourite pieces, and the most popular creations became the winners.
"We were really thrilled. We had lots of artwork, right from kindergarten, up to Grade-8, not as much in the last category, which was Grades 6-8. But there were a lot of entries in K-2 and (Grades) 3-5 and different kinds of art too. That's always nice to see," Smart said.
This year, the K-Grade 2 category winners were: first place – Tucker Garagan, Grade 1; second place – Kalen Aspinall and Delaney Rendall, both kindergarten; third place – Seraphina Rasmussen, Grade 2.
In the Grades 3-5 category, the top three spots were claimed by Blaire Wilson, Grade 3, Parker Zohner, Grade 5, and Kalun Beaudry, Grade 3. In the Grades 6-8 group, the first prize went to Chayse Zohner, Grade 6, the second spot was claimed by Trinity Massier, Grade 6, and third place was Justice Howse, Grade 7.
Some of the works were created in art classes, but others were made at home.
"They could just pick any piece of artwork that they're proud of, or that they wanted to share, or put into the show," Smart said.
When held in person, the event runs a bit different from the virtual version. The school tries to organize the categories both by age and the type of art. However, for the online format, it was easier to stick with grades. The prizes were also different.
"The last two years, we have just done gift cards for our prizes. This year, they all got Dollarama gift cards, so they could go and buy some art supplies, or they could go and spend it on whatever they want. If they want to buy candy, they could buy candy," Smart explained.
"When we do it in school, we have little packages made up for the winners in school. But it was easier (to do gift cards) this year and last year, especially, when we had to mail out the gift cards. This year, at least, we could just deliver them. So that's what we did. And every kid loves a gift card, too."
The school is proud to hold an art show every year. On the one hand, it provides an opportunity for many kids to shine.
"We haven't had a lot of opportunities this year to do a lot of extra things. So I was really glad that we've been able to do a few things, including our art show. It's a part of the culture of our building, and the kids look forward to doing it. And it's an opportunity for some that maybe aren't the sports stars or in some of the other areas, but it's just an opportunity sometimes for those kids to shine a little bit. So I was happy we could change it up a little bit, but we were still able to do it," Smart said.
On the other hand, it also allows for everyone from students and staff to parents and the general public to enjoy kids' talent and the art itself.
"You don't realize sometimes the talent that's in some of the kids in different areas. I always enjoy art shows because of that. You just see a different side of them," Smart said.
