STUDENT EXHIBIT ENLIGHTENS AREA

Beth Thomas' demonstrates chalk art at the exhibit. Thomas is an art teacher for the Sikeston public schools.

Jackson High School senior Emelie LeFebvre creates with oil paints.

Jon Maurer, 13, draws pictures for the event.

Sarah Turnbow, left, brought her daughters, Heather Turnbow, 14, and Sarah Beth Turnbow, 4, to look at the many pieces of art.

This gentleman didn't break one of the sculptures. This entire scene is art in itself designed by senior Kristen Perterman of Jackson High School.

The U.S. is often accused of letting things artistic go by the wayside. No one could accuse Jackson of that last weekend.

The first Jackson R-2 school district-wide art exhibit was held Saturday, showcasing student and area art. The exhibit's aim was to promote art and its value in education.

Carol Horst, a coordinator of the exhibit and an art teacher for the Jackson school district, feels art is an important part of the learning process.

"When the students look at art, it promotes higher thinking skills, creativity and visual perception," Horst said. "It increases motor skills and helps them appreciate the differences between us and other cultures around us."

Most importantly, Horst said, art is a means of communication. Art shows how people think, see and feel.

"And being able to communicate is one of the greatest things there is," she said.

Students who participate in art, Horst says, do better in all other areas, so it is important to keep students aware, and if possible, interested in art.

The exhibit promotes art and there were several local artists present demonstrating their art, many painting and drawing while they were there. Herb Wickham, Howard Jones, Grant Lund, Ed Smith, Craig and Beth Thomas and Kathy Smith demonstrated their favorite medium.

Emelie LeFebvre, a senior at Jackson High School, was also demonstrating her favorite medium, oil painting, and she feels the exhibit is extremely beneficial.

"I think it's good to promote art," LeFebvre said. "It's cool that the parents can see their kid's art."

She's a talented artist who has been very interested in art since she was in the third grade. She was asked by a teacher to be a guest artist at the exhibit.

Jackson artist Herb Wickham spent his day in the middle school displaying his talent and felt it was a day well spent.

"It's like anything else," Wickham said. "If you can't show people what you can do, it doesn't mean much to you."

Wickham says events like these are always well received by the community and he found parents were amazed at what their children could do.

"A lot of these kids don't talk about things so well," Wickham said. "Things that a young person wouldn't tell you about comes out in their art work.

"It's a personal kind of expression. It's a natural way to express yourself."

There was a big crowd all day, Wickham said adding there was lots of fun.

"Everybody was giggling and laughing," he said. "It was a real feel-good day."

Dr. Grant Lund, art professor at Southeast Missouri State University spent his drawing portraits and donated the proceeds to the Jackson R-2 art department. Horst said the money will go toward next year's exhibit.

This wasn't a one-time event, Horst said. Next year the exhibit will expand from the gymnasium to the cafeteria area allowing more room for art and artists.

Horst seemed pleased with the overall events.

"I think it's good to know that art is not just something to do once a week," she said.