Glowing in the Visual Arts

Parents, students, and staff delight walking through the Art Glow exhibit at Michelle Obama Elementary School where the art classroom was transformed into a gallery. Above, grade 2 artwork shown in regular light and flashlight
Parents, students, and staff delight walking through the Art Glow exhibit at Michelle Obama Elementary School where the art classroom was transformed into a gallery. Above, grade 2 artwork shown in regular light and flashlight

On November 22, 2023, a remarkable event unfolded at Michelle Obama Elementary School, spearheaded by Ms. Parris, a new NBOE Visual Arts Educator. The event, Art Glow, situated in the school's art room, utilized flashlights to accentuate the vibrant glow-in-the-dark Pre-Kindergarten to Fourth-Grade student artwork. This initiative celebrated creativity and collaboration among students and the school community, emphasizing the students' artistic talents and Ms. Parris's commitment to creating a sense of community through art. She invested significant effort into transforming her classroom to host art tours for classes and parents.

Thoughtful interactive elements allowed students, peers, teachers, and families to connect with the creations, further fostering a profound sense of pride and accomplishment for the student artists. Ms. Parris's effort and Principal Gilliam's support to cultivate a school culture of creativity and innovation is notable. Art Glow stands as a practical demonstration of the transformative power of art education, guided by a committed teacher and supportive building administration. Dedication to displaying students' successes was evident in every detail and culminated in a delightful exhibition that celebrated each child's artistic potential.