BERLIN – Local students showcased their artistic skills in everything from sculpture to music this week at the Worcester County Fine Arts Festival.
The annual event, held at Stephen Decatur High School, featured the work of students of all ages from public schools throughout the county.
“I’m excited about nights like this because it shows the creativity of the students,” said Tamara Mills, the county’s coordinator of instruction for fine arts.
The festival featured hundreds of examples of original student artwork, ranging from paintings to ceramics to mosaics. Student musicians also performed throughout the evening. Artwork lined the school’s main hallway as parents and students strolled through, admiring the colorful pieces as they listened to tunes from the young musicians that make up the county’s band and chorus programs.
Sara Thompson, a member of the Worcester County Board of Education, was among the crowd. Though she attends many school functions, Thompson said the fine arts festival was one of her favorites.
“I love this,” she said. “It’s one of the most exciting things to see. We have some really talented students in this county.”
Ocean City Elementary School second-grader Sullivan Auker was one of many children in attendance at
Art work from students of all ages was on display at Stephen Decatur High School during the annual Worcester County Fine Arts Festival.
Tuesday’s festival. He was there to show his family the piece of artwork he had on display. The colorful snake, done with pastels, took Auker three days to draw.
“It was hard,” he said.
Nevertheless, he was excited to be able to show it and the work of his classmates to his family. His mother, Chrissy Auker, said she had never been to the county’s arts festival before but was impressed.
“The kids love it,” she said. “It’s so cool. We’d never been before because we didn’t know about it.”
Mills said she was thrilled to see a big crowd at this year’s event. She said that though it alternated between high schools, it was always well attended when it was held in the northern end of the county. She said the festival was an important event for the school system because it brought attention to the arts.
“Without the arts life is gray,” she said.
She added that the festival not only celebrated student work but also taught children the value of art. In addition, it gives the community a chance to see what local kids have created.
“It’s important for the community to see what the children are doing in the arts,” Mills said. “We value the arts in Worcester County. Without the arts, children don’t get a whole education.”