Clairview School craft show will feature student creations

Canvas paintings, decorative wooden blocks and customized picture frames will be among the crafts made by Clairview School students for sale Saturday during an annual craft and vendor fundraising show.

Their works will join those of 30 vendors in an effort to raise money for the Hempfield school to build an outdoor educational area with accessible picnic tables, said Holly Tonkin, elementary life skills teacher.

Creating handmade items for sale gives students a chance to learn a skill that eventually may help them get a job.

“It gives them a sense of entrepreneurship,” Tonkin said. “It gives them a sense of ownership, that I can do things and make things and provide a service.”

About 110 students from school districts in Westmoreland and surrounding counties attend Clairview School. Tonkin said this is the third year for the show. In addition to crafts, there will be food trucks, a bake sale and a raffle of baskets donated by local businesses.

Admission is free for the show, set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school, 215 Donohoe Road. Items for sale will include jewelry, plants, greeting cards and wreaths. Food trucks on hand will be Hoshi and Ash & Kris Kitchen.

The event usually brings in about $3,000 for school needs and is well-attended, Tonkin said. Clairview School is operated by the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit to address individual student needs for specialized education.

Intermediate units statewide are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. Clairview students participated in a ceremony marking the occasion last month.