On Monday night MCS Fine Arts Fair was presented, and all I can say is WOW, these students are extremely talented. As an art professional myself, I have a good understanding of what talent is, and these students have talent. First, Mrs. Gay Otten presented the winners of each age group, and I was really amazed at the artistic ability of these young people. According to Principal Huwer, Mrs. Otten puts in an enormous amount of hours helping and training these young artists. It is apparent that she is doing an absolutely wonderful job in bringing out the best in these students.

After the presentation of the art winners, all were treated to some music. Mrs. Janie Bloomer directed the Swing Choir in a couple of numbers, one of those numbers being “I want to build a Mountain.” I was first amazed at the artistic ability of the students, and then the choir awed you with some great voices. To finish out the evening Mrs. Sharon Link, the band director, conducted the Jazz band. What a way to finish the night for the Jazz band simply blew everyone in attendance a way. I have never heard a Jazz band of this age group, 8th grade and under, with such talent. I can honestly say that this group could rival most high school bands, they are that good.

Principal Gary Huwer concluded the evening by talking about the commitment of the school and district of making sure the students get a well rounded education, which certainly includes Fine Art. Many schools when their budgets get tight they tend to eliminate things such as fine arts, say Mr. Huwer. This night was a great testament of the districts commitment, the staff’s ability to bring out the best in the students, and the awesome talent these students poses. This community should be extremely proud of these student’s, I know that the parent’s and staff are.

Fine Arts Fair Ribbon Winners

Pre K & Kindergarten Division

Dinosaurs in Modeling Clay on construction paper background. Cartooning with the Muppets – Paper Construction – Study in Line and contract – Gel markers.

3rd Place – Mya Parris KTH
2nd Place – Nanzi Vance KBP
1st Place – Rhegan Gauch KBP

1st and 2nd Grade Division

1st Grade/One Line Design – Crayon, marker and 3D paint. My animal – Picture Study, Egyptian. Modeling clay, Mouse Pad – Family picture – Markers and crayon. 2nd Grade/Imaginary towns with Joseph Pickett, American, crayon resist. Indian Baskets – American Indian, paper weaving. Clay pinch pot. Under water scene – Winslow Homer, American, payons. Snow Mobils – Construction paper and yarn.

3rd Place – Alexis Fults 1GC
2nd Place – Sam Rosenkranz 2CK
1st Place – Taylor Geluck 1RD

3rd and 4th Grade Division

3rd Grade/Picture in the round – Italian, Raphael Sanzio – silk hoops and batik. Our neighbors and scenes around us – French, Jean Francios Millet, water color. Paper mask – construction paper and markers. Cartoon Characters – markers and colored pencils. 4th Grade/Kaleidoscope – colored pencils, markers and/or crayon. Texture collages – crayon rubbings, drawn patterns and wall paper or fabric. Clay coil pots. Landscapes – American, George Inness, Payons and colored pencil. 3D One point perspective – Child Hassam, American, pencil and colored pencils.

3rd Place – Savanah Tiemann 3W (SP)
2nd Place – Grace Higgerson 4W (JB)
1st Place – Megan Skaer 3W (SW)

5th and 6th Grade Division

5th Grade/Enlarged Flowers – American Georgia O’Keefe – tempera and oil pastels. Paper Macha Characters. Pictures by the sea – Picture Study, English, Sir John Everett Millais – Watercolor Straight Line Designs – Tempera, mixing colors. 6th Grade/Soap sculptures – Ivory Soap. Torn paper mosaic – picture study, American Willard L. Metcalf. Study of horses – picture study, English, Sir Edwin Landseer – colored pencil/watercolor. Nearika – Yarn painting, Paul Cezanne, French.

3rd Place – Alexis Rains 6th (VK)
2nd Place – Kelsey Gaby 6W (VK)
1st Place – Abby Mast 5T (HP)

7th and 8th Grade Division

7th Grade/Pointillism – George Seurat, French – Acrylics on canvas. Ordinary to Extra Ordinary – Pen and Ink drawings. Copper Tooling. Distortion and Caricature drawings – Pencil. Baisa Foam Sculpture – Caricatures. 8th Grade/Silhouette – Jan Van Goyen, Dutch, recycled paper – watercolor/ink. Study in Value – Henri Matisse, French, Charcoal drawings. Study in Color – Velour and oil pastels. Study in Abstract – Wassily Kandinsky, Russian, acrylics on canvas. Linoleum block prints – Hiroshige, Japenese, Carving and printing. Pottery – Kick/Motorized Wheels.

3rd Place – Jake Eccher 7W (CG)
2nd Place – Ben Steppig 8th (MB)
1st Place – Calli Usselmann 8W (NW)

Best of Show
Eric Fries 8th (MB)

The program Design
Front cover – Katie Goudey 8W (KA)
Back cover – Payton Warren 8th (RE)