Third annual Fine Arts Festival for District 129 schools

Musicians, dancers and artists from all West Aurora Unit District 129 schools will participate in the third annual Fine Arts Festival. The event, which is open to the community, is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York St., Aurora.

There will be music, dance, drama or art wherever you turn. Art displays will be placed in between the performance areas to showcase the work of kindergartners through high school.

"We have everything from elementary school folk dancers and choirs to middle school small instrumental ensembles and choirs, to the large instrumental and vocal groups from the high school," said Kim Scharf, music teacher/choral director at Greenman Elementary School, who helps coordinate the musical performers for the event.

There is quite a variety of art at the event, too. Elementary and middle school art classes also work on paintings, drawing, collage and mixed media. High-schoolers work on oil painting and graphic design, and all grade levels work with clay, said Eva P. Balek, art instructor at Jewel Middle School who helps organize the art submissions from elementary and middle school students.

During the school year, art teachers place outstanding works on a portable wall in their rooms, and each year the wall is transported to the event.

"People are generally pretty amazed at the ability level of students and ingenuity of the teachers," Balek said. "If we did the same thing every year, people would be bored. They come in, are genuinely surprised and enjoy the variety of what they see."

District 129 residents who have no connection with the schools would enjoy what this show has to offer, said Meg Papadolias, West High's Fine Arts Department chair, who came up with the idea for the festival.

"Art is something that moves your spirit and makes you feel good," Papadolias said. "People would have a great experience coming to the festival."

For information, visit sd129.org.