WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- What began as only an art fair has evolved into an entire fine arts festival that turns Martin Warren Elementary into an art museum. The fine arts festival Monday, May 5 drew lots of parents, students and folks from the community.

Teresa Goodman, art teacher, said to generate a larger turnout, it was decided the art fair would incorporate music and some performances into the event.

Angela Keirsey, music teacher, planned the singing portion of the festival and said a large crowd showed up to watch the performances and view the students’ artwork.

Goodman said, since Martin Warren is a very diverse school, a multicultural theme was applied to the night.

Almost 400 students attend Martin Warren, so there was plenty of art work to view for visitors. (Photo by Wayne Dean)

Minda Neudigate, paraprofessional, and Barbara Hill, social worker, mainly worked on the multicultural aspect of the festival.

“We try to line up exhibit booths from different countries and there is some parent participation in bringing artifacts [from their native countries],” Neudigate said.

Hill said they had about a half dozen countries represented at the festival. She said these booths are beneficial because students can make a visual connection of where some of the other children are from.

“It is up to them how they want to represent their culture; whether it’s food, language, native attire, facts about the country or maps,” Hill said. “We have kids from Mexico, Italy, Kenya, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the Bahamas, as well as others.”

In keeping with the multicultural theme, Goodman said she incorporated this with the art projects students created throughout the year. From Vietnamese hats called non’la to Native American items, students prepared all year for the festival.

The art fair provided an opportunity for young artists to show off their creative work. (Photo by Wayne Dean)

“The students also made masks, paintings, drawings, weavings, collages and non-objective [abstract] items,” Goodman said. “I try to pick at least two things from each student to display. They help choose what they want put out, but I help because sometimes, their favorite isn’t their best.”

With close to 400 students attending Martin Warren, the many pieces of artwork were hung throughout the school. Artwork was in the gymnasium, cafeteria and in one hallway and the musical performances took place in the gymnasium, as well.

Goodman said a Reader’s Theatre was also an event.

“Kids read poetry, short stories and sing music during certain times,” Goodman said.

Although Keirsey does not prepare all year long for the students’ musical performance, a lot of work still goes into it.

“We usually prepare four weeks in advance,” Keirsey said. “Each grade will sing a few songs from different cultures.”

Organizing the fine arts festival is a large task to take on, but seeing the students get excited is worth the extra work.

“They love [the festival],” Goodman said. “Students can show off their artwork and they get so many compliments. Parents think it’s the most gorgeous artwork they’ve ever seen.”

Hill said the fine arts festival results in more than students receiving compliments, though.

The art fair showcased food from many different cultures, such as Italy...

and China. (Photos by Wayne Dean)

“The students get self-esteem, pride and it’s also character building,” Hill said.

However, Goodman said the elementary students are not the only ones who can learn from this event.

“We encourage art education students to come and get ideas for when they teach,” Goodman said.

The fine arts festival was free and open to the public. A half-price book fair also took place during the festival.