Shiloh students finish ceramic creatures in time for May art show

A menagerie of ceramic creatures got their color this week in Linda Johnson’s art classes at Shiloh Elementary School.

Second-grader Cy Shelton’s sabre-toothed tiger turned a shocking shade of yellow.

Fourth-grader Miranda Bowlin’s zebra received its stripes.

With a little paint, second-grader Sydney Kitchell’s pug named Moochie now looks a lot more like his namesake at home.

“I made snowflakes out of marker lids,” she said, pointing out dots of light blue on the ceramic dog’s coat. “He wears a fur coat and likes the cold.”

Samantha Siville’s cheetah not only got its spots; it got a name.

“Its name is Ella,” said the 7-year-old with long blond hair. “Cheetahs are my favorite animal. They are really fast. I saw them when we went for my birthday to the zoo. One was right there (by the fence) and I was right there, so I ran with him.”

“I love to draw,” said Samantha, “because I like creating stuff on my own."

Next stop for their creatures? Some will be part of the thousand-plus works on display at Shiloh Elementary School for the 15th Annual Shiloh School District Art Show from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 6.

Every art student in Shiloh School District, from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, will have at least one piece in the show, art teacher Linda said.

Young artists created one-, two- and three-dimensional sculptures. They drew, painted, colored and sculpted. And did some thinking in the process.

“The art project offers a problem and the student works through the creating to make a success,” Linda said. “Even if the student feels his or her art work failed, learning occurred. Creating art, problem solving and being successful, is something that can enhance anyone’s life forever.

Her favorite part of being an art teacher?

“It is such a thrill to see a child experiment and succeed while creating their art,” she said.

The art show also will include a creative environment for children of all ages (adults, too) to make and take home creative stuff of their own.

Art stations in the elementary school gym will feature activities such as flying dragons, inflatable bubbles, stamping patterns, VIP name tags, building blocks, airplane design, animal masks and origami paper folding. You can make as many as you like. Each station has easy-to-follow directions.

“This part of the art show has been a favorite of students,” said Linda.

This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 4:25 AM with the headline "Shiloh students finish ceramic creatures in time for May art show."