PITTSBURG, Kan. — At Memorial Auditorium this month, close to 400 pupils from Pittsburg’s four elementary schools are getting their 15 minutes of fame, and then some.
They’re not on stage, however: Their art is hanging in the auditorium’s Beverly Corcoran Art Gallery, beckoning viewers with vibrant colors, whimsical illustrations, and architectural and textural creations.
There are gargoyles, chimeras and grotesques made of clay, perched on a display shelf guarding the names of children who created them. There are silver spray-painted robots created of discarded cereal boxes, pudding cups and oatmeal canisters — not one of them like another. There are bold yard weavings and patterns, and flowers made of handprints.
And speaking of 15 minutes of fame, the flavor of Andy Warhol — the artist who coined that phrase — is immortalized in a set of unique illustrations by youngsters who put their own spin on Warhol’s famous print of a Campbell’s soup can.
One of the district’s art teachers, Nancy Hurt, who spent most of Saturday afternoon arranging the art, said that 15 minutes of fame is precisely what the exhibit is all about.
“The goal is to showcase the students’ work and let the community know that we are serious about art at the elementary level,” she said. “Athletes have their games and tournaments, dancers have recitals, musicians have recitals and school music programs, so this is a way for artists to showcase their product.”
Hurt recalls reading about architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who said the only memories he had of elementary school were about building with blocks a lot. Hurt is “big into temporary sculptures” in her classes, or building with blocks.
“Maybe a future architect will look back and say, ‘I remember that we built blocks a lot,’” she said. Regardless of whether that happens, what is guaranteed is that students who are actively engaged in art are much higher achievers, have fewer discipline issues and have a better attitude toward school, according to Americans for the Arts.
This is the 13th year for the exhibit, which may be viewed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and during performances.
Meanwhile, a student art exhibit just in its second year is gaining momentum a few blocks away at the Pittsburg Public Library. The exhibit is composed of 24 entries from 20 youths in grades seven through 12, representing Pittsburg, Frontenac and Northeast-Arma schools.
Like Hurt, youth librarian Bev Troglia is trying to fill a niche in the community.
“There are many opportunities for recognition in sports through the school systems, but not so much for the arts,” Troglia said. “Our mission at the library is ‘to provide free access to ideas, materials and services that support the cultural, educational and recreational enrichment of the community.’”
Especially cognizant of how to best communicate with teens, Troglia posted a photo of each entry on the library’s Young Adult Services Facebook group.
She said she’s been pleased with the response to the show, and she plans to have another next March.
Northeast High School art teacher Gary Lofts, a professional artist himself, was especially enthusiastic, because “it gave recognition to students who might not otherwise receive any acknowledgment of their work.”
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