Students at 15 elementary schools in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 are accustomed to seeing their artwork grace the walls of their schools. However, approximately 200 of them now have the privilege of showcasing their creations in a much more public setting – the Waukegan Public Library.
Throughout the school year, discerning teachers like Greenwood Elementary School art instructor Tarah Alley Elder meticulously selected exceptional pieces that would become part of the annual Elementary School Art Exhibit at the library. Victoria Enriquez Sanchez, a fifth grader at McCall Elementary School, was among the fortunate students whose painting was chosen. Overjoyed, she eagerly accompanied her family to witness its display at the library.
“I was thrilled to have this opportunity to exhibit my art in such a public space,” exclaimed Victoria. “I have a passion for art and will continue to pursue it as a cherished hobby.”
Victoria was among the students and their families honored at twin receptions held on Monday and Tuesday to celebrate the artwork chosen for the exhibit. Each student received a certificate acknowledging their achievement. As Victoria proudly shared her painting with her family, it brought immense joy to her parents.
“It was simply beautiful,” remarked her father, Victor Enriquez Lopez. “She dedicates herself to her art, and her talent is evident. We are incredibly proud of her.”
Patrick Toto, the manager of the children’s department at the library, enthusiastically welcomes the Elementary School Art Exhibit each year. He appreciates the opportunity it provides for young artists to share their creativity with the wider community.
“This exhibit is a perfect fit for our library,” he stated. “It allows us to showcase the talents of these children for the entire community. The library is a cultural hub, making it an ideal venue for their artistic expressions.”
The exhibit will remain on display through the end of April on the main floor of the library, the walls along the staircase to the ground floor, and in the children’s department. For over 15 years, young artists have had the privilege of exhibiting their work at the library.
During the reception on Monday, Elder described how families toured the exhibit before each artist was presented with their certificate, followed by a photo session to capture the special moment.
“Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles were all present,” she recounted. “Some even brought flowers to congratulate the young artists.”
Lori Massimo, the district’s fine arts coordinator, explained that each art teacher at the elementary schools carefully selects the artwork from their students, representing a range of grades from kindergarten through fifth grade. The 200 pieces chosen for the exhibit were meticulously selected from over 6,000 submissions by elementary school students.
“This exhibit offers students an exceptional platform to showcase their work and share it with the entire Waukegan community,” Massimo emphasized. “It empowers them to express themselves creatively and fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment.”
With a dedicated art teacher in every elementary school, Massimo highlighted their crucial role in selecting the artwork from their students, adhering to a predetermined maximum number for each school. Art teachers begin their search for potential entries at the commencement of the school year in August.
Elder elaborated on the process by which teachers identify exceptional artwork throughout the year, maintaining a portfolio of potential candidates. As the year progresses, they meticulously determine their final choices.
“Each teacher maintains a portfolio of student work,” she explained. “We carefully review the pieces throughout the year and collectively decide which ones are most deserving of a place in the exhibit.”
Recognizing that young students express themselves in diverse ways, Elder emphasized that art provides a unique avenue for some students to excel and gain recognition that may not come as easily to them in other academic areas.
“Many students who excel in art may not necessarily perform as well in traditional academic subjects,” she observed. “This exhibit gives them an opportunity to experience success and feel a sense of accomplishment. They may not always be the ones recognized at assemblies, but their artistic talents deserve to be celebrated.”
Elder shared that her students typically have art class once a week for 40 minutes, with some classes meeting twice a week. Art projects often take time to develop and involve a range of emotions.
“Art is a passion for many of these students,” she remarked. “They genuinely feel it, and it fuels their creativity. It can take months to nurture that passion and bring their artistic visions to life.”
Some of the work in the art class is collaborative, and Elder refrains from providing constructive criticism to the students, encouraging them instead to critique each other’s work in a productive manner.
“They engage in constructive peer critiques,” she explained. “In this way, the students become teachers, sharing their knowledge and insights with one another.”
