Cherry Valley holds annual Night of the Arts
<p>Aimee Gustafson and nephew Eli Evenson discuss the best way to finish their drawing during the Cherry Valley art night Thursday in Polson.</p>
<p> Corben Carlson, 7, and his dad, Shea Carlson, admire the art work during Cherry Valley's Night of the Arts.</p>
<p>Ryleigh Brumwell, a second grader at Cherry Valley, paints during the art night at the school Thursday.</p>
On Thursday night, Cherry Valley Elementary students had a chance to show off their artistic skills to their friends and family.
Up and down the hallways, art of all kinds lined the walls. Everything from selfie tables to graffiti walls were available to partake in.
Over 200 people showed up for the annual Night of the Arts. For the last month or so, students and teachers have been working to create the scenes on display. In the gym, a gallery of artwork by every student in the school was displayed. In a few classrooms, family watercolor painting tables were set up. In others, artist style musical chairs took place.
Helen Siemers, one of the teachers at the school, said the theme of the night was collaboration. “The idea was to do paper sculptural artwork where the kids are working together to create abstract or representational pieces,” she said.
Paper chains lined the walls, another work of collaboration by the students and teachers.
The Night of the Arts, which has been an annual event for several years, is a favorite of the students, according to Siemers. “They get so excited and they are so proud to show their parents,” she said.
That was obvious as students pulled their parents into the school, where they were greeted by principal Brent Benkelman, who held a giant paint brush.
As parents and kids used their artistic skills on long sheets of paper taped to the walls, Siemers spoke of the what the event can do for the students. “We really want to showcase the importance of art and also just how creative these kids are and how powerful expressing themselves through the arts can be.”