SEEING THE CITY THROUGH NEW LIGHT
Students’ art displays create a street gallery in downtown
Downtown Royal Oak visitors can take in the artwork of the city’s students from elementary school through high school.
Printed art displays went up in the windows of about 30 downtown storefront businesses this month and will remain in place through March 16.
The effort is the result of the city’s Downtown Development Authority’s first annual “I love Royal Oak” drawing contest.
The contest for high school, middle school and elementary school students started early this year.
More than 190 drawings from all grade levels were submitted among the three different school levels.
Student artists were asked to do drawings that exemplify what they like about Royal Oak, whether it was a place, idea, or feeling that shows what they appreciate about being a part of the community.
Many students’ submissions featured parks around Royal Oak, the Detroit Zoo, their favorite ice cream shop, the library and at least one drawing showing the 40-foot-tall Star Dream sculpture near the Centennial Commons downtown park.
“We have large collages combining the elementary school students’ art,” said Downtown Manager Daniel Solomon, “and individual works from middle school and high school students.”
The Royal Oak Commission for the Arts was the jury for the art contest, and winners were chosen this week.
Different artworks are shown at each of the 30 downtown shops displaying the student art.
The DDA put the contest together and worked with the city Commission for the Arts and Royal Oak Schools.
Solomon said it was evident that the students put a lot of thought and “love” into their drawings.
“We’re thrilled for their families and visitors to see their talent and hard work on display,” he said.
Alesha Beistline — art teacher for Northwood and Oakland elementary schools and a member of the city Arts Commission — played a key role in connecting with art teachers at other schools to get the art contest underway, Solomon said.
Beistline said the “I Love Royal Oak” contest created an opportunity for students and downtown businesses alike.
“I had more than 100 of my students participate and I was blown away by the thought and time many put into their entries,” said Beistline. “I live and work in Royal Oak, and yet seeing their artwork allowed me to see this city of ours in a new light through their eyes … the memories they make in the parks, in the shops and at school will stay with them for their lives, and now they get to share those memories with pride with our entire city.”
Beistline noted that it’s a big deal to have one’s artwork on display and businesses will have families coming to visit them to make new memories with the student art drawings.
“I truly hope opportunities like this continue,” she said.
There is more information about the art contest, the art locations, and a full list of student artist winners on the city’s DDA website at romi.gov/I-Love-Royal-OakDrawing-Contest.
First, second and third place winners were chosen in the high school, middle school and elementary school divisions, as well as honorable mentions.
Students that won a place award will get a monetary prize ranging from $100 to $750.
Anna Young won first place in the high school division. Middle school student Sophia Scott was the first-place winner in her division, and Maya Omowale, a fifth grader at Keller Elementary, won first place among the elementary school artists.
“We cannot wait to continue initiatives like this,” Solomon said, “that boost both our community’s youth and support our downtown.”