Arts Night at Blanding Elementary a Festival of Fun

“We exceeded our expectations,” PTA President Doreen Tanner stated after the Art Festival October 11. The event, sponsored by the Blanding Elementary PTA, was very well-attended. Student artwork created under the supervision of local artists was on display. Students and community members also participated in various art activities.

Those in attendance praised the PTA for working to enhance art education in the school. “I think it is wonderful what you are doing with the arts,” Kd Perkins said. Those who coordinated the arts program in each grade said the teachers were very supportive. The PTA tried to ensure that the arts projects selected would supplement the school’s curriculum.

The arts activities were a big hit with everyone. They included face painting, edible sand art, pinwheels, clay, balloon shapes and portrait drawing. Students could use B.E.S.T. (Blanding Elementary School Team) dollars to do an activity. People could also purchase tickets to do projects at the festival. The B.E.S.T. dollars are used to reward students for earning A.R. (Accelerated Reader) points, doing their reading, or other academic requirements as determined by teachers. The PTA no longer operates an A.R. store.

“This is better than students coming home from the A.R. store with junky toys,” one parent commented.

The PTA will sponsor three more quarterly activities this year. Students will be able to earn more B.E.S.T. dollars each month. They can purchase other incentives at these activities.

The PTA is grateful to all who helped make the Art Festival a huge success. Community artists included Toni Lacy, Allyn Mitchell, Stormy Palmer, Sunny Jones, and Jeanna Grover.

Students in the kindergarten created self-portrait cloth puppets. In first grade, the students completed several projects, including painting clay pottery provided at half price by Cedar Mesa pottery.

Jeanna Grover, from the San Juan School of Dance, taught second graders line dancing. The students were video-taped performing the dance during school. The video was shown at the art festival. Third graders created their own unique creations with clay and painted them.

The fourth and fifth grades painted large maps on the playground of the United States and the state of Utah. Numerous parent volunteers helped make this project a reality. It is a great sight to see, and has huge educational applications.

Thanks to parent volunteers who helped with the art activities at the festival. They include Mark and Carla Endres, Jenny Grover, Candice Palmer, Lisa Carr, Kaylynn Black, Amber Smith, Natalie Chamberlain, Tracy Nielson, Sheri Pugh, Kd Perkins, and Danelle Mendoza.