FIFTH ANNUAL R-2 ART EXHIBIT IS APRIL 29-30

Plenty of work has gone into student displays.

The fifth annual Jackson R-2 All District Art Exhibit, this year called Art Expressions 2000, will be held at the Jackson Middle School April 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and April 30 1-3 p.m.

The exhibit will feature Jackson elementary, middle school, junior high and high school artwork, hands-on sculpture, weaving, and jewelry centers, guest artists, and refreshments.

The exhibit is a culmination of student art produced throughout the school year. Close to a thousand pieces of art will be exhibited in the Middle School gym for the public to see what has been done in the art classes and its importance. Through art, the students see creativity as a process and challenge rather than an obstacle.

Integration with other subject matter is an important factor in the art curriculum. For example, when students are learning geometric forms in math class, the art class may incorporate the same forms with the study of architectural design. The studying of art in history gives students different images of past cultures to understand and appreciate the differences. Art provides a bridge to things we respond to but can't always describe.

Art has been an integral part of Jackson's curriculum for many years. Jackson art teachers in the past, such as Jake Wells, Herb Wickham, and Fred Jones, have been instrumental towards the positive growth and development of Jackson's art department. Fred Jones, currently assistant superintendent is very supportive of Jackson's continued growth through providing professional development for teachers and encouraging the all district art exhibit.

This year's Jackson art teachers whose students work will be on exhibit are: Carol Horst at South Elementary, Susan Lane at Orchard Elementary, Doug Dirnberger at West Lane, Tiffany Marquart at the Primary Annex, Gordonville, and Millersville, Marsha Sander at Middle School, Janienne Moore at Junior High, Andrea Talley who teaches at Junior High and the High School, and Wanda Young at the High School.

Beginning next year, the arts will be formally assessed through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. A video will be shown to the district's fifth grade students for them to analyze pieces of art ( paintings, sculptures, architecture) in regard to their historical significance, and elements, or principles. This assessment helps to reinforce the validity and importance of the arts in education. Recent studies have confirmed students who participate in art studies score higher on the SAT scores by an average of 59 points on verbal and 44 points on math.

The all district art exhibit is another assessment tool to evaluate the students ability to visually communicate their problem solving skills.

Another feature of the All District Art Exhibit will be seeing how artists work in our community on a daily basis. This year, Nancy Collier, former Jackson student and Beth and Craig Thomas, another Jackson alum, will be our featured artists on Saturday. Nancy Collier, owner of Sign Art in Jackson, is a very talented and versatile artist. She is well known in our area for the wonderful interior graphics on the walls at Middle School and West Lane, and for designing, lettering, and painting all types of signage: from truck lettering, custom logos for businesses, to lighted signs.

She also teaches adult painting classes. She will be at the Middle School on Saturday showing her work and the process of her creations. Craig and Beth Thomas will also be demonstrating their art at the exhibit.

Beth, an art educator will be creating fiber designs and Craig will be drawing portraits. Craig is a free-lance artist specializing in private and commercial murals throughout the Midwest. He has been the guest artist at the St. Louis Art Fair in Clayton, and at the Kansas City Art Fair.

Hands-on art centers will round out the exhibit with areas for people to create clay sculptures, weave various tactile fibers on a large loom, draw on a long mural, and make jewelry on Saturday. The hands-on art centers will give the public the opportunity to shape, build and visualize.

Many parents and the Jackson Noon Optimists have graciously volunteered to hang the art and help with the hands-on art centers.

The exhibit is free to the public and all are invited to see how the visual arts are an integral part of education and our community.