ArtFest program makes a splash at Libertyville's Copeland Manor School

ArtFest hit Copeland Manor School in Libertyville with a splash Friday.

Performance artist Elliott From, of Arlington Heights, used his splash-style of painting to create murals to music during an assembly.

One creation - a Blackhawks head - was a big hit with the students.

Two of the murals From created will be on display at the school, and one will be auctioned off by the family association.

"Typically, ArtFest is one of the favorite memories of the students," parent organizer Heather Chen said. "That's what we want to provide, an event that is fun and memorable and will stay with them for their years at Copeland," Chen said.

A new art display of ribbons for the front lobby, a quilt woven with old CDs, and student spray-painted street graffiti artwork for the classrooms are all a part of the activities planned for Copeland Manor students at the sixth biennial ArtFest - Street SmART.

Students continued on the "street" theme as they created graffiti by using spray paint and stencils on cardboard bricks.

Each class experienced of three interactive workshops with visiting professional artists - performing arts, applied arts and fine arts. In each workshop, the children learned about the artist's creative process and worked together on a related activity.

Interactive workshops included digital photography, architecture, comic novels, magic, culinary arts, martial arts, painting, textile painting, sculptures, illustrations, caricatures, mixed media, jazz improv, dramatic improv, music, and hip-hop dance.

To learn more about events at Libertyville Elementary District 70, visit www.d70.org.