The Winfield Elementary School Art Show was started in 2015 by Library Media Specialist, Rebecca Moore. Winfield Elementary does not have a formal art program or an art teacher but Mrs. Moore enjoys art and loves making art with her students. The first art show had a theme of “Art and Books” and the art created that year was an extension of literature read in the library. Students learn that illustrators are artists and how different illustrators use different mediums and styles to create illustrations for books. The art show was small in attendance and no art was framed but there was an abundance of art on display.

The next year, 2016, the theme was “Art Around the World.” All throughout the year in the library, students learned about different countries and cultures and created works of art to represent that country. Fourth grade made cherry blossoms and third grade made Ming vases with scratch art. There were coy fish, pandas, Aboriginal art, African art, and American art. We had our first pieces of collaborative art where each entire grade participated in one large piece. For example, kindergarten each made a colorful scale to make a large Chinese dragon. The students loved learning about ancient Egypt and creating self-portraits like Egyptian princes and princesses. In 2016, we promoted the art show for weeks ahead and there was a large turnout. The only setback was Park League sports which kept many students and parents from being able to attend.

The next year, in 2017 we met with the Park Board and they agreed to clear the date of the art show from the schedule and that helped tremendously! This was the first year that we used the company Artome’ and we were able to sell the students’ framed art, both originals and reproductions. Also, we added students’ STEM projects and presentations and had STEM in the Gym as well as the art throughout the building. Some of our art projects included STEM and the students enjoyed making “STEAM!” Teachers also got in on the act by decorating their halls with art that they had made throughout the year. Our theme was “Making like the Masters.” Students learned about famous artists and created works of art in the style of Van Gogh, Davinci, Matisse, Magritte, Klee, Pollock, Mondrian, and Salvadore Dali. Our own students provided music by piano, assisted by one of our third grade teachers. We invited local business owners and many of them purchased reproductions for their businesses. The middle school and high school also started participating this year.

In 2018, we learned about the genres of literature and art. We created landscapes, self-portraits, still life paintings and collage, sculptures, surrealism, and abstracts. We had STEM projects as well and the art show grew even more. Our theme was “All Kinds of Art.” We sold even more framed art than before and this became a successful fundraiser for our elementary library. This year our 4^th graders created an installation art of origami cranes in memory of one of our middle school faculty members who had two daughters in our elementary school. We continued to partner with Artome’ to sell the students’ framed art.

Our theme in 2019 was “We Are…” Students learned about how we are…artists, engineers, scientists, inventors, writers, illustrators, and kind through the books that we read that year and our art reflected those qualities. First grade created a large mural with colorful dots and second grade created a huge owl by painting feathers individually and putting them together. So many in our community showed up in support of our students. Grandparents and family members came and this year we created a display of art in memory of one of our first graders who lost his battle with cancer.

In 2020, we were unable to have the art show as the pandemic hit and we had to leave school unexpectedly and did not return for the remainder of that year.

In 2021, we were able to have a virtual art show. Each student created a piece of art in the library. We had self-portraits, collages, and still life art framed in an online gallery through Artome’. Even though we were unable to have an in school show, the virtual show was very successful as grandparents and family members were able to purchase reproductions and have those shipped directly to them. All of the art was returned to the elementary school library after the show and parents and grandparents picked up the art throughout the summer.

This year in May 2022, we will have a hybrid show. We will offer reproductions only online. Grandparents and family members will be able to purchase art online and have it shipped directly to them. Original art will be framed and displayed the night of the art show. Reproductions can also be sold. Our theme this year will be “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Students will learn about the life and work of Mr. Fred Rogers through picture books as well as his website. Students have already enjoyed seeing his visits on his shows to see how things are made. We watched the episode where he visited a crayon factory and then read How a Crayon is Made, and The Crayon Man where students learned about the inventor of the crayon. We also watched his visit with Eric Carle, one of our favorite author/illustrators. We are also focusing on community and neighborhoods as well as neighbors. Students will learn about urban and rural neighborhoods as well as community helpers.

We will read books with friendly letters and write our own friendly letters while illustrating the envelopes. These will be featured with our display of Mr. McFeely, Mr. Rogers’ mailman.

We will talk about inclusion and how Mr. Rogers shared his pool with his black friend at a time when that wasn’t accepted. We will focus on his kindness and the lessons he taught. Our décor will center around his show and our art will feature each part of his television set.

We will make collaborative neighborhood art and will build models of neighborhoods that we will code our robots, (Bee Bots, Dash, and Ozobots) to visit.