Student artists to take over Antioch Saturday

Area school children will once again turn downtown Antioch into an art gallery Saturday.

The idea began last year, created by former Antioch principal Deb Harding, who partnered with teachers to get students more involved in the community.

With the support of the village, chamber of commerce and the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation, the students were given the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents through visual arts, song and music.

"It amazed us how happy people were enjoying the student art, listening to music at the band shell and visiting professional artists," said Barbara Porch, the chamber's executive director.

An 11-member district-wide teacher committee now organizes the event. Linda Johnson, band teacher at Oakland Elementary, said the event shows how important the arts are to the school curriculum and the arts' importance to build a community.

"Our feeling is there are artists in our community. Without them, the community would not be as rich as it is," she said.

Once again, all students within District 34 will showcase their artwork through shop windows and displays.

Porch said the business community has applauded the schools' efforts. Almost every shop has been happy to open its doors to show the artwork.

"I'm not aware of anyone that said no," she said.

Johnson said the students take pride in presenting their work, not just to their parents but to anyone who may walk past and see it.

"The best part is seeing the beaming smile on a 7-year-old as he stands at a storefront and points out his artwork," Porch said. "What a sense of accomplishment for a young student."

Professional artists who are members of the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation also will display their work on sidewalks through downtown.

The band shell, located behind stores on Main Street, will feature a variety of musical performances.

A chorus and fifth-grade band made up of students from Antioch Elementary, Oakland Elementary and Petty Elementary will perform. Antioch High School's jazz choir and jazz band also have been invited to perform at the band shell.

Also, Antioch Upper Grade School vocalists will present a Broadway showcase at the meeting house across from Dairy Queen on Main Street.

If you go

What: Antioch Art Crawl

Where: Downtown Antioch, along Main Street, Lake Street and Orchard Plalza

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday