The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Students showcase artistic talents
Oneida City Schools: District-wide art show at Otto Shortell Middle School
WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. » Victoria Leahey loves to paint, and that love is now on display as part of the Oneida City School District’s art show.
The 11-year-old’s artwork -a hot-air balloon -- was one of hundreds lining the walls of Otto Shortell Middle School on Tuesday night as dozens of families milled through the hallways, looking at the various projects their children worked on throughout the year.
For Victoria, the best thing about art is that “we get to be free.”
“You get to use cool colors,” agreed student artist Sloane Clinch, 8, who also loves painting
Sloane painted a winter scene of white trees and colorful birds.
For her mother Kerri Clinch, the art show was a chance to see what other students were doing in the district, as well as to show off what her daughter accomplished.
“She’s excited for other people to see what she’s working on,” Clinch said.
Robert Emmons said his children were also excited to showcase their work.
“I think it’s good for them,” he said. “It’s something cre-
ative, it’s something different. I know they’re all excited.”
“It is totally worth it, all the work it takes to pick these out and hang them up,” said North Broad and Willard Prior art teacher Tracie McLain. “To see all these kids with their parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, it’s great.”
Several hundred pieces of work, from kindergarten through grade 12, in all types of media are on display at OSMS until April. Self-portraits, still lifes, sculptures, mixed-media and more showcase the talent and creativity of Oneida students.
For McLain, art is a way for students to learn in ways they might not otherwise be able to through the classroom.
“There is just so much experimenting and problem solving,” she said. “When I see eraser marks all over their papers, it means they’re learning, and that’s just amazing.”