St. Charles All-Arts event showcases students
This weekend, residents can immerse themselves in artwork from local students at many venues throughout St. Charles.
There will not only be creative paintings and photographs to view, but there also will be dances to watch and music to listen to as student artists from kindergarten through college showcase their work.
The collaboration is part of the St. Charles Art Council and its ArtsFest St. Charles, the All-City, All-Arts event for student arts.
It is an annual event that takes place the first weekend in March to match up with Youth Art Month and Music in our Schools month, which are both nationally recognized observances to emphasize the value of and encourage the support for art and art education for children, said Elizabeth Bellaver of the arts council.
This is the fourth year for the student artist event from the St. Charles Art Council, Bellaver said.
The group also works in conjunction with other local artists this weekend to provide an all-encompassing showcase in St. Charles.
For example, three years ago, All Things Art Studio in St. Charles joined the event. Many of the studio's students now showcase their works, and the studio itself holds open times throughout the weekend where future artists can create their works.
This year, owner Erin Livermore said she has more than 15 students showcasing more than 25 juried works of art.
The weekend also coincides with the annual P-ARTS Variety Show at St. Charles East High School.
In hopes of participating in the art council event, student artists submit their artwork electronically. It is then juried.
Participating in the event is a great opportunity for them, Bellaver said.
"We want to celebrate student artists and to give them an opportunity to show or perform their work for a broader audience in nontraditional venues," Bellaver said.
"It gives them the confidence in their work, which comes from having shown or performed before a broader audience.
"One of my favorite experiences from this event was at the pop-up art gallery. I gave one of the visual artists - a 5-year-old - her artist lanyard. And then watched her go over to her painting and stand next to it, just like real artists do, so that she could answer any questions that anyone had about her work. And, best of all, many of the experienced gallery goers at the pop-up that night did indeed go over to her to ask her about her work," Bellaver said.
Alana King, 9, of Campton Hills will have her work on display this weekend. Her mother, Tina King, said the Wasco Elementary School third-grader is excited to showcase a canvas painting and a few watercolors.
"She feels so special to have so many pieces chosen for this year's art show," Tina King said. "She has been working hard over the past year on her pieces. She is proud to be a part of the show and have so many people come to see her work."
Calvin Reed, an 8-year-old from St. Charles, will have seven pieces in the show. It is his first year participating.
He will showcase his ink comic drawings and digital drawing board comics, as well as a collage, watercolors and abstract art, his mother Rheanna Valdez-Reed said.
"He is really thrilled and excited to see his work displayed and feels proud," she said. "He is his toughest critic and is a perfectionist. He tells everyone he meets that he enjoys making comics and is having a fun time doing it.
"The show covers all areas of art and age groups, and it is really special for families to see their child's art displayed professionally and encourages young children to continue to use their creativity and to create art. It's such a special show," she said.
Bellaver said it is the hope that the public, even those who know no one displaying their artwork, also will benefit from the event by viewing wonderful artwork and having some fun.
You can get your first look at the arts show, as well as create some of your own, at an open studio from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at All Things Art Studio, 1106 W. Main St., St. Charles.
That same evening, St. Charles East High School will host its 13th annual P-ARTS Variety Show. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are required and can be purchased at the door for $7 for adults and $5 for students.
On Saturday, March 5, there will be a cookie and canvas event back at All Things Art Studio from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
In the evening, there will be an opening reception showcasing artwork at the next gallery, 11 E. Main St. The event will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
On Sunday, there will be another open studio at All Things Art Studio from noon to 4 p.m.
In the evening, there will be a student showcase at the Baker Community Center, 101 S. 2nd St., from 1:30 to 3 p.m. It will feature The Alex Murphy Quartet, TFBN, The Giving Moon, Olivia Williams, Kyle Pullman and the St. Charles Park District dance groups.
For information on the event, call (630) 443-3794 or visit StCharlesArtsCouncil.org/.