Kiski Area Elementary Art Show to display over 1,000 works

Art and fellowship will soon fill the hallways at three Kiski Area elementary schools.

The annual Kiski Area School District Elementary Art Show returns Tuesday, Feb. 8 after being held virtually last year because of the pandemic.

Kiski Area East, North and South Primary Schools will simultaneously host the event from 6 to 8 p.m. at their respective campuses.

Kiski Area East Principal Pat Marchand said the show has been a district staple for more than 50 years.

“This is designed as a celebration of elementary student artwork,” Marchand said. “It’s a wonderful show, well attended with much positive feedback from our families.”

The show is co-hosted by Kiski Area elementary art teachers Brian Flizanes and Jennifer Deluca.

The show will feature a combined total of more than 1,000 art pieces created by students in grades K-4.

Flizanes said the return to an in-person event is welcomed.

“It’s nice to have it back and showcase the students’ talent and get back to a little more sense of normalcy,” he said.

Each school will be transformed into an art gallery with student artwork displayed throughout.

Every student will have at least one piece of art displayed.

Art mediums include pencil, acrylic and tempura paints, watercolors and crayon.

Students begin saving their art in August and each student personally selects the piece or pieces for inclusion in the art show.

Kiski Area South kindergartner Alexavier Booker said he is excited to attend his first art show.

Booker selected an owl drawing and said he plans to dress up for the event.

“I’m a little nervous about it because a lot of people will see my art,” Booker said.

Kiski Area South second grader Kimber Pack, who chose a snowman drawing to display, said going to art class is one of her favorite things about school.

“I like it because it makes me feel relaxed,” Pack said.

Six “Artists in Residence” students from Kiski Area High School will attend the show, each displaying their works and offering art demonstrations.

Two high school students visit each elementary school and provide art mentoring to the younger students.

“This shows our younger students the possibilities that exist for them at Kiski Area High School if they have a passion for art and want to pursue this further,” Marchand said.

The art show began as a fundraiser but has evolved into an evening celebrating the arts.

“During covid, it’s just a nice release and escape,” Flizanes said. “The parents just love it, and it’s a social and community event.”

Marchand said a separate art show for grades 5-6 at Kiski Area Upper Elementary is scheduled for May.