Students Display Artistic Talents
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
St. Landry Parish public school students displayed their various artistic talents while gaining potential economic benefits Saturday morning during the third annual Student Art Expo held at Opelousas High due to inclement weather.
Normally the event which again attracted several hundred school-age participants would feature artwork, music, carpentry and choral presentations at the Courthouse Square.
Morning rains and the possibility of more downpours later on Saturday changed the normal planning strategy.
Bree Saregent, one of several Acadiana Arts Council representatives who assisted Saturday with the on-site organization, said she was pleased at the relatively seamless transition of moving the venue indoors.
Instead the school gymnasium was transformed into an art studio, as students displayed their original work at tables. Artistic work in grades one through high school hung from rolled up bleachers as spectators and potential purchasers reviewed the presentations.
Sargent said the decision to change the location was made easier due to the cooperation from city and school officials.
“We looked at the forecasts and started weighing the options. We actually made the decision on Wednesday night to move it (at OHS). The principal (Greg Campbell) here was also extremely accommodating. We were looking at having over 500 students participate and we are pleased with the turnout we had (on Saturday),” said Sargent.
Students displayed jewelry and artistry sketched in pen and ink or laid out on canvas using a variety of oils and acrylics.
Sargent said the nationally-recognized Northwest High robotics team kept spectators engaged with a series of animated demonstrations, while as noon approached, high school and junior high band students began performing on-stage in the auditorium and band rooms.
Many of the students, Sargent said, intended to sell their creations.
“We had about 60 market stalls. The students signed up in advance and that enabled them to market and price to sell the items that they made. We have professionals who worked with the students in advance and the students will eventually be able to receive 100 percent of the profits,” Sargent said.
