Butler student art showcase is showstopper
From showstopping paintings of Hollywood’s finest to realistic sculptures of animals, student artwork impressed parents and peers alike at Butler Area School District’s Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase on Saturday evening.
Kindergarten through 12th-grade students dazzled the community with their artistic talent in sculpture, paint, photography and music within the halls of Butler Intermediate High School.
Erich Campbell, art teacher and event organizer, said the first in-person FAB show started off strong with high attendance.
“My expectations of this community have always been high when it comes to this show,” he said. “I’m not surprised they met it. I’m surprised, but I’m not surprised.”
Colorful ribbons rested on first, second and third place and honorable mention pieces for all to see, the Best in Show category being taken by a sculpture titled “Star from the 90s” by Aubrey Michael.
While attendees perused the art-jammed halls, Butler band ensembles performed rock and jazz pieces in the auditorium for listeners. Activities such as a children’s art center, face painting, cornhole tournament, basket raffles and more kept folks active during the experience. In addition, local artists showed off their skills on easels, and students worked the pottery wheel for onlookers.
Kevin Kane, a Butler High School alumnus, said he learned pottery at the school, and decided to step back behind the wheel to demonstrated at the show. Campbell said that kind of volunteerism is why he continues with the show.
“It speaks volumes to this community that there are students from the past that are coming to attend and are now throwing (clay) at the art show,” Campbell said of Kane. “That’s why I do what I do.”
Michelle Jones said her daughters were involved in the FAB in the past, and attending the show has become a family tradition.
“It seems the kids get more and more talented,” she said.
Seventh-grader Parker Slater contributed a sculpture and painting to the show. She said she enjoyed seeing the variety of pieces from her peers.
“I hope people here get inspired to do art and make art,” she said.
Eleventh-grader Annabelle Turner and her mother, Angela, said it was great to see the community come out to the show.
“I know all of us have put so much time and effort in (our art) and it’s cool the community gets to see that,” Annabelle said. “I never did art until I got to high school. I hope kids coming into high school see this and branch out and take art classes and try something new.”
“I was just telling someone how great it is that Butler has so many talented kids in art and music, and that we get to see the success they’re having in those,” Angela said.
Campbell said he feels people have missed attending events such as the FAB showcase.
“(People) want to go to community events. It makes me happy for the kids, they see this support,” he said. “It’s such a whirlwind night, in a great way.”
