CRESTVIEW — Watch out, Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Monet. There's rising talent at Northwood Arts and Science Academy ready to give the great artists a run for their money.
See 47 photos from the Northwood ArtWalk>>
The elementary school held its first ever ArtWalk Monday night, a cornucopia of visual beauty that wound up and down the school's lengthy walkways. Organizers are already planning to make the show an annual event.
"Beauty," of course, is in the eye of the beholder.
"They're OK, but it's weird," second-grader Kamryn Leadmon as she viewed self portraits executed by Nikki Thomas' second-graders in the style of surrealist Pablo Picasso.
Third-grader Logan Johnson couldn't wait to show his parents, Charissa and Eric Johnson, his melted crayon work, a visual art project that also included a science lesson in heat dynamics.
Students were supposed to melt the crayons with a blow dryer, but "a regular blow dryer didn't cut it," Charissa Johnson said. "We had to use a heat gun," Eric Johnson added.
"The kids were so proud of their art work," ArtWalk organizer, media and art integration specialist Kristal Petruzzi said.
Parents Mark and Kelly Clouse praised the school's expanded role as an arts and science academy as they admired their second-grade son Brycen's photography.
"They do a good job here," Mark Clouse said. "The kids really enjoy it."
Students also got to examine the works of Crestview practicing artists, including Dr. Peggy Hollinghead and Rita Benz, who also demonstrated water color and pastel techniques.
Following the ArtWalk, an ensemble of third-graders entertained parents with a violin recital during a PTO meeting.
"Every month we do some kind of little performance," Petruzzi explained.
School principal Dr. Donna Goode was pleased with the large turnout and the school-wide participation of a majority of the classrooms, and is already looking toward next year's ArtWalk.
"Hopefully we're going to grow each year," she said, pausing to hand out bags of popcorn to new arriving families. "We'd like to get some local bands as well."
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Walking the ArtWalk: Northwood Arts and Science Academy students strut their stuff (PHOTOS)