By Kim McDarison
Music flowed out and families in during the opening reception of the Whitewater Unified School District’s Art Show held Saturday at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center.
The event is an annual collaboration between the school district and the Whitewater Arts Alliance.
According to Whitewater Arts Alliance Manager Ashe McDarison, nearly 200 people arrived during the reception to view the student artworks placed on display by art teachers throughout the district.
The show features some 180 works made by children in grades 4K-12.
“The show had so many entries this year that we decided against a virtual show,” McDarison noted, adding that while some photographs of the display panels holding the art can be found online, community members are encouraged to visit the Cultural Arts Center gallery, 402 W. Main St., in person throughout April to see the full array of creative works.
The gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays, from noon to 4 p.m.
Also on Saturday, event-goers were treated to three musical performances featuring the district’s children, including the Lincoln World Drumming Ensemble, led by teacher Christine Hayes; the Whitewater Unified School District String Ensemble, led by teacher Patricia Nielsen, and the Whitewater High School Choral Students, led by teacher Karen Tordera.
Two-dimensional works were grouped by schools, including the district’s three elementary schools — Lakeview, Lincoln and Washington — and the middle and high schools.
“It’s always exciting to see the gallery in full swing,” McDarison said. “Kids light up when they see their work on display, and friends and family members that come, I think, are often amazed at how intricate and creative their children are.
“The musical performances just add to the ambiance of the reception. Many of the kids, before they played, viewed the art with their families, and during the performances, the area in front of the stage was standing room only,” McDarison said, adding: “When the Cultural Arts Center is filled with art and people, there is an excitement in the building and this annual event is colorful and fun.”
Photographs from the event follow.
Amelia Babcock, a second-grade student at Lincoln Elementary School, points to her art. The work is one of 180 two-dimensional pieces on display in the gallery at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center.
Darian Castellon removes her hat so her father, Dario, can photograph her with her art. Darian’s piece is among those included on a display panel featuring works made by students at Lakeview Elementary School.
Three photos above: At top, the Baack family, Michelle, from left, Abigail, 6, and Charles, 8, visit a panel upon which a piece made by Charles is displayed; at center, Charles’ piece is shown amid other works made by his classmates at Lakeview Elementary School; above, a piece made by Abigail, also a student at Lakeview, occupies space on a panel.
Two photos above: At top, members of the Heim family, including Nina, 15, from left, Anders, 6 months, and Lanora, who serves at the director of pupil services at the Whitewater Unified School District, view student art; above, Espen Heim, a Lincoln Elementary School student, points to his art. Espen also was among Lincoln Elementary students performing Saturday in the Lincoln World Drumming Ensemble.
Two photos above: At top, the Timm family, including Justin, from left, Delta, 5, and Declan, 7, visit the display panels holding art made by elementary school-aged students within the Whitewater Unified School District; above, Declan points to his piece.
Two photos above: At top, 9-year-old Brayden Pecha is joined by his parents, John and Nicole, as they view works made by young artists; above, a piece made by Brayden is displayed alongside works made by his classmates at Lincoln Elementary School.
Surrounded by art, Whitewater Arts Alliance Manager Ashe McDarison invites community members to view the in-person-only gallery show through April. The gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays, from noon to 4 p.m.
Whitewater Unified School District music teacher Christine Hayes, at center, leads the Lincoln World Drummer Ensemble. Students within the ensemble are from Lincoln Elementary School.
Yanet Palomec-Garcia, at left, and Gaby Rodriguez-Flores warm up in advance of their Saturday afternoon performance.
Whitewater Unified School District String Ensemble members Emma Schultz-Majkzak, at left, and Maddie Morton, perform a cello duet.
Whitewater Unified School District String Ensemble members, accompanied by their teacher, Patricia Nielsen, second from left, perform during the youth art show’s opening reception. The show opened Saturday and will run through April.
Whitewater High School Sophomore student Alex Clarksen is one of five Whitewater High School Choral Students performing Saturday afternoon.
Whitewater High School senior student Skylar Staebler is among student delivering a solo vocalist performance Saturday.
Whitewater Common Councilwoman Brienne Brown, first seat, second row, is among event-goers enjoying musical performances during the Whitewater Unified School District’s annual art show reception. The event was held Saturday afternoon. Two-dimensional artworks featured in the show will remain available for in-gallery viewing through April.
After they performed, and moments before an afternoon rainstorm, members of the Whitewater Unified School District String Ensemble gather near the Birge Fountain in front of the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center. Members of the ensemble, not shown in pictured order, include: Gaby Flores, Yanet Garcia, Emma Schultz-Majkzak, Maddie Morton, John Pecha, Tyler Babcock, Mya Graves-Koran and Ian Agen.
Kim McDarison photos.
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