With proud grins and pointed fingers, Noblesville Schools’ elementary students identified their artwork to camera toting parents at the Young Artists Exhibit at Nickel Plate Arts, 107 S. Eighth St.
“This is just neat with all the people here. I like all the randomness in the artwork,” student Zakyla McMahon said.
“I feel special. It’s really exciting,” Hinkle Creek second-grader Ava Murdock said.
Murdock’s parents, Jason and Jennifer, enjoyed how the community is able to see the talented students’ work and the feeling of accomplishment she and other students have to be on display.
“I think it’s great. Art is her favorite thing to do. She loves it,” Jennifer said.
“It promotes the artistic creativity of children. It brings all the elementary children together,” Jason said.
Like many students, Noble Crossing first-grader Lauren Paska stood beside her “Cat in the Hat” painting as her mother, Amy, took a photo.
“She’s always drawing,” Amy said. “It’s a phenomenal way to show off the kids work and teach them the value of art.”
While Noblesville High School students have been involved in Nickel Plate Arts events, this is the first experience with elementary students. NPA Executive Director Ailithir McGills said the idea for the project came from working with Darlene Patterson, Promise Road Elementary art teacher.
“We want to support younger artists and get kids and families familiar with Nickel Plate and what our opportunities are here,” she said.
“We’re always looking for some places to put the kids’ artwork. This place is wonderful and kid-friendly,” Patterson said. “Kids can come back and see other exhibits or take a class.”
The artwork is a culmination of the year’s work.
“It’s a sampling of different projects we worked on,” Patterson said.
The Young Artists Exhibit runs through May 4. Nickel Plate Arts is open noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 452-3690 or visit www.nickelplatearts.org.
