Music, art, food and fun
West Holmes students of all ages showcased their musical skills and other artistic talents at the K-12 Arts Festival.
MILLERSBURG — The artistic talents of students throughout the West Holmes School District were on display Friday in a variety of mediums, from paintings and clay works to singing and musical performances, at the West Holmes K-12 Arts Festival.
The festival is a collaborative effort between art teachers Sandy Miller, Amy Rohr, Anna Irwin and Kristen Bartman; voice teachers Kristen O’Brien, Stephanie Schwarzwalder and Alexander Looney; and band/instrumental teachers Steve Butcher and Blake Depinet. The festival features clay, paint, pastels, markers, paper collage, scratch art, mixed media and graphic design work, as well as performances by high school, middle school and elementary school choirs, bands and individuals.
“I think we represent all ages very well in music and art,” Rohr said. “It’s fun to see the kids excited to see their creations. The elementary PTO does a great job of engaging in crafting and getting everyone involved.”
Food trucks add fun
Rohr added that the addition of food trucks to the event encourages families to have a fun night out. Crazy Nate’s BBQ and Amish Country Pizza are on hand, along with Brain Freeze.
Parents, grandparents, friends and family all come out to experience an evening of art, food and fun.
“It’s great to see what the kids are doing,” said retired teacher Betty McNutt. “They’re very creative and there’s a lot of talent on display here.”
smooth transition
Butcher is enjoying his first year as high school band director, noting that former director Brian Dodd, who retired last year, has kept the program in great shape.
He said there is a lot of musical talent in the high school and events like this give students a chance to showcase their skills and have some fun in the process.
“It’s a joy to work with the kids,” Butcher said. “Brian made my transition very smooth and the kids performed as expected.”
