Pre-K Art Show Raises Funds for Upcoming Field Trip

Members of the Partners in Learning community gathered on February 19, 2024, at the child development and family resource center in Salisbury for a Pre-K Art Show featuring the creative works of four- and five-year-olds. The event, held from 17:00 to 18:00, aimed to showcase the children’s artwork while raising funds for an upcoming field trip to Patterson Farms.

Meliya Harris and Misty Bowers-Eagle, the Pre-K teachers, have been planning the show since September. According to Harris, the goal was to demonstrate the significance of art within the community and its positive impact on young learners. “We wanted to do something that showed the community that art is important for the community and art is important for the youth,” she stated.

All 18 children in the class contributed to the exhibition, displaying a variety of creations, including paintings, collages, and three-dimensional pieces. “Everybody has something,” Harris remarked, emphasizing the joy the children experience through their artistic expressions. The artwork will remain on display in their classroom for further viewing by the school community.

Bowers-Eagle highlighted the educational aspect of the event, explaining that the focus is not solely on the finished products. “It’s the process in the middle that they learn from,” she said, noting the importance of allowing children to experiment. The show featured tables filled with the students’ artwork, along with books about art and games that emphasize the cognitive benefits of creative activities, such as improving fine motor skills and communication abilities.

In addition to the children’s work, several pieces created by adults were also showcased. Harris pointed out a crocheted animal made by an intern and a diamond art piece created by a registered behavioral technician. “We wanted to show that art isn’t just for when you’re little,” she explained. “You can do art all the time, all ages. And art isn’t just paint; it’s fiber arts too.”

As families explored the exhibits, enthusiasm was palpable. Anne Mae Overcash, accompanied by her parents, admired the dot art creations, while Liam Mitchell and his mother, Allie, examined a display of photographs. Others, such as Pam Bloom and Ella Mills Bloom, engaged with the book “It Looked Like Spilt Milk” alongside the corresponding artwork.

Community members expressed their support for the young artists. Board member Celia Jarrett remarked on the importance of encouraging children to participate in philanthropy through art. “Art can be a way of philanthropy, and children can participate in that as young as they are today,” she noted.

The director of the Woods location, Heather Fidler, thanked the staff and families involved in organizing the event, which allowed the community to support the children through donations. The field trip to Patterson Farms is scheduled for approximately April 2024, with activities planned that include a farm experience and strawberry picking.

To facilitate fundraising, a QR code was provided at the event for donations towards the field trip. Teachers encouraged continued contributions through the school’s website, specifying ‘art show’ in the memo for proper allocation of funds.

“We have some artists on our hands,” Harris concluded with pride. “I’m very proud of them.”