Over 500 Freeport students showcase their art in virtual art show

About 550 students, ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade, are showcasing their creative talents in Freeport Area School District’s virtual art show.

The show, which features art from students taking classes in person and remotely, is being held online for the second year because of the covid-19 pandemic. Before covid-19 restrictions, art shows had been held each spring in the high school.

The art show can be viewed online and will remain available indefinitely, said Lauren Clark, who teaches art at Buffalo Elementary School and serves as the district’s art department coordinator.

“The benefit of a virtual show is that it’s equally accessible to both in-person and remote students,” Clark said. “All can visit and revisit the site whenever they like, and it will live forever, as opposed to a traditional event at a physical venue.”

After students have seen many events canceled over the past year, participating in the annual art show, even virtually, “means the world to our students,” Clark said.

“When schools closed last spring, we needed a new platform to showcase student art,” she said. “Our students deserved to shine for their accomplishments and creatively connect with peers. The online format showed students they are part of a larger community of artists, that they have the power to inspire others — from a distance — by creating and sharing art.”

The site features a variety of art from students at each of the district’s schools. The works range from sketches and paintings to ceramics and LEGO toy bricks.

Art has proven to be a huge help to students facing a multitude of new challenges throughout the pandemic, Clark said.

“Art class, more than ever, is a sanctuary for kids,” she said. “Numerous students have expressed to me that art is calm and peaceful or helps their stress. It provides a creative outlet and vehicle for social-emotional learning, both of which are very much needed.”

After watching students embrace art and its ability to help them through a year of remote and hybrid learning models, canceled events and other stressors, Clark said students deserved to be rewarded for their hard work and creative talents.

“Imagination is the most precious resource we possess,” she said. “If anything, covid has pushed us all to embrace creativity and think outside the box in our daily lives. Our students have done just that this year, and it’s essential to celebrate their hard work and talent.”