'Arts Alive' exhibition shows off talents of Alle-Kiski Valley high school students

Each year, the Alle-Kiski Arts Consortium pulls together “Arts Alive,” a display of artworks by area high school students, at the Penn State New Kensington Art Gallery. The show will be open to the public until March 22.

The show is made up of art produced by students from five high schools — Deer Lakes, Kiski Area, Valley, St. Joseph and Highlands. It’s been a decadeslong annual tradition for the Arts Consortium.

Monday evening during a reception for the artists, the gallery was packed with students, parents and community members who came to view the exhibition. The walls were covered with an impressive array of works, and tables were set up to display ceramics and other crafts.

“It’s hung salon-style, so it’s floor to ceiling,” said Kathleen Morrone, who teaches art at St. Joseph High School. “Each of the teachers, we try to show as many students as possible.”

The exhibition is organized by art teachers from each school. They select the works to be shown and hang everything themselves.

“We set up together. We get to see each other’s work,” Morrone said.

“When we’re all here hanging, we’re all bringing in boxes and bags as much as we can. It’s trip after trip to the car. We try to show as much as we can,” said Renae Yoder, a Highlands teacher.

“Arts Alive” is a celebration of visual art, said Teresa Emeloff, also a Highlands teacher. “The band and chorus have concerts; sports have their games. This is our version of that.”

The goal of the show is to give student artists the opportunity to show off what they’ve created. But it’s also a chance for them to see each other’s work.

“I’m actually really excited to see the art from different schools. I love looking at art,” said Hannah Dickun, a Kiski senior whose watercolor painting is in the show.

“It gets them encouraged and motivated to make more of their own art and (be) proud of what they made, which, as a teacher, makes my heart happy,” Yoder said.

Many different mediums are on display, from paintings and sketches to ceramics and jewelry. Each project allows the students to let their personalities shine through.

Melanie Brown, a sophomore at Deer Lakes, made a ceramic sculpture of lady locks, her grandfather’s favorite cookie.

“My favorite part is to show all the hard work that I put into my project,” she said, “and trying to figure out how to work with clay to make my vision come to life.”

The teachers relish watching how excited the artists are about their art.

Said Melyssa Lynch, a Kiski teacher: “It truly is a celebration of our kids. When they come in and they have that smile on their face, it makes you feel proud. That’s what it’s all about.”

It also might be the first or only time they see their art hanging in a public gallery.

“I tell them, ‘Be brave,’ ” said Christy Culp, a Deer Lakes teacher.

The kids acknowledge how influential their teachers were in pushing them to succeed, too.

“I like how I can express myself in any way I want to because my teacher helps me,” said Kasey Cienik, a St. Joseph sophomore who is displaying works in acrylic paint and charcoal.

Shanna Wolfe, a Highlands junior whose ceramics are featured in the show, echoed those sentiments.

“The art teachers at the high school, their guidance helped me choose what I wanted to make,” she said.

The display provides a chance for all of the teachers to share their pride in their students’ efforts.

“All the different talent … it’s absolutely incredible to see all that work,” Morrone said.