The big picture: Scott City second-graders display their art this weekend

Hanging 80 pieces in his students' third art show this school year might seem ambitious, but to Scott City Elementary School art teacher Matt Miller, it's all part of the bigger picture he's working toward.

Miller said he and several other teachers are trying to build an arts community in the Scott City schools.

"We're trying to showcase each part of the performing arts," he said.

"I help with set design and props with the middle and elementary schools, but I don't need another iron in the fire right now for high school," Miller said.

A school aide found some interest in the high-school theater program, he said, and volunteered.

Artwork by Scott City second-graders hangs in the art gallery Tuesday at Scott City High School.Andrew J. Whitaker

"We're really trying to make things better, and happen," Miller said.

This show, the third Miller has curated this school year, will be up Friday and Saturday, Miller said.

"This show is all second-grade students," Miller said.

For the first show, Miller collaborated with the high-school teacher, kindergarten through 12th grade over the whole district.

"The second show was the elementary art club," Miller said.

Artwork from Scott City second-graders is hung in the art gallery Tuesday at Scott City High School.Andrew J. Whitaker

For this show, he wanted to pick one grade, and settled on second. "They've been having fun and working hard," Miller said.

Miller used to hang only 50 pieces maximum, he said, but for this show, "I'm probably going to wind up with 80 pieces or more," he said, laughing.

He said the biggest challenge he met at first was actually his biggest asset: the gallery space itself.

"We have a really nice gallery space, but how do you hang 80 pieces on a wall?" he said.

"I wanted it to look as good as a show I would enter a piece in myself," Miller said.

Artwork from Scott City second-graders is hung in the art gallery Tuesday at Scott City High School.Andrew J. Whitaker

He finally settled on hanging the pieces with what Miller called "small rare- earth magnets," or very strong circular magnets, on metal rods, a technique he saw at a printmaking art show.

"Our building's all concrete, so we have to think of new ways to present," Miller said. "It's a great facility."

Miller said he wants to use this show as an opportunity to exhibit what his students are capable of.

"I don't think a lot of people really realize how capable kids are at creating and producing," Miller said. "I think we sell them short a lot of times."

But, he said, when people see this show, they won't have a choice but to admit these kids are talented.

Scott City art teacher Matt Miller poses for a photo in the art gallery Tuesday at Scott City High School. The second-grade art class will have an art show on Friday and Saturday from their artwork of the year.Andrew J. Whitaker

The show coexists with a middle-school theater production of "The Boardinghouse," with shows at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

"My wife is the drama director," Miller added.

Miller conceded it's very easy to overcommit, as a teacher. "A lot of educators are naturally giving," he said, and he tries to strike a balance, which isn't always easy.

"When I was a high-school teacher, we had a show every year. Dr. Edwin Smith was my mentor at Southeast [Missouri State University], and he inspired me to have a show every year."

Miller said when he changed positions this year to elementary school teacher, he wanted to do something different.

"I don't know why I decided three shows were important," he said, adding it was like reliving all the chaos of being a first-year teacher.

"Next year will be a lot easier," Miller said.

"We have some neat stuff going on down in Scott City," he said. "It's a small town, but we have some really talented kids."

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address: 3000 Main St., Scott City, Mo.