photo by Justin Averette

Art from almost 120 Clanton Elementary School students was displayed at Peoples Southern Bank on Wednesday. The art show, now in its fifth year, was started to encourage young people to pursue art as a hobby and recognize creative talent.

Children’s art goes on exhibit at bank

By Joelle Motes (Contact) | Clanton Advertiser

Published Thursday, July 2, 2009

More than a hundred pieces of art hung on display Wednesday at Peoples Southern Bank as a part of the Clanton Elementary School art exhibit.

Julie Harrison, art teacher at CES, said this was the biggest year yet for the art exhibit, which featured artwork from 119 students ranging from kindergarten to the second grade.

Peoples Southern Bank has sponsored the art show for the past five years as a way to encourage art in the community.

“It’s just a matter of recognition and encouragement for children,” Betty Cook, the bank’s vice president, said. “It’s a community effort to recognize the talent in our area.”

Harrison also said the art show helped promote art among children.

“A lot of times art is overlooked,” Harrison said.

Harrison said often in early education, instructors focus on the basics, such as reading and math, while art gets pushed to the side.

CES students participate in art class once every two weeks for 45 minutes, where they learn about different aspects of art, such as art history, art production and art criticism and analysis.

They also work on art projects throughout the year, and those who so desire can display one of their pieces in the art exhibit.

Since Harrison teaches multiple grades, she said she can see her students progress over a three-year span.

She has also seen the art show evolve through the years.

“It has just grown and developed,” Harrison said.

The subjects, styles and mediums featured were varied, including paintings, drawings and collages.

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