The Transformative Power of Art: A Glimpse into Middle School Artists' Worlds

ksmith0454
May 9
4 min read

The Clay County 4H Art competition featured a special display of creativity and self-expression by middle school students from Red Bird Christian School.

This year's event was an eye-catching display of amazing artistic talents set up in the halls of Red Bird Christian School. This gave these young artists a great opportunity to share their art with peers and staff of Red Bird Christian School.

The Competition and Awards

In this competition, students from grades 6 to 8 pour their entire heart into their artwork. Each piece was a window into the individual artist’s world, revealing their personal viewpoints and creativity. The range of styles and themes was remarkable, from colorful paintings depicting nature to portraits of characters from the bible.

The success of this art show was made possible thanks to the fantastic collaboration with Clay County 4-H, led by 4-H Agent Alyssa Ackerman!

The students eagerly competed for the blue and purple ribbons, demonstrating their outstanding artistic skill. The thrill of the competition inspired everyone to elevate their skills, and many proudly snagged those prized ribbons.

While every student's artwork was beautiful and unique in its own way, the pieces that received purple ribbons will progress to the area judging, with the opportunity to advance to the next exciting stage—the Kentucky State Fair!

This experience not only boosted their artistic abilities but also helped them discover art as an exhilarating form of self-expression.

Exploring Art

Through History, Technique, and Culture

The goal of Art Appreciation at Red Bird Christian School is to help students understand and enjoy the beauty, skill, and importance of artworks. This includes analyzing and interpreting elements like color, form, and composition, as well as understanding the historical and cultural context in which the art was created. This class also touches on a Biblical Worldview and explores Appalachian Culture.

One highlighted segment is the exploration of watercolor techniques, focusing on its unique properties like transparency and fluidity. Students get hands-on with color mixing, brushwork, and layering to create depth and texture, helping them develop their style and love for this flexible art form.

The masterpieces of Mosaic art are featured in the Art Appreciation curriculum and the 4H Art Show. Students learn the ancient technique of assembling small colored pieces to create unique patterns. This form of art teaches students creativity, patience, and attention to detail.

Nurturing Young Artists

Leading this thriving arts program is Rebecca Smallwood, a wonderful and dedicated art teacher who's all about encouraging her students' creativity.. Her passion for art and commitment to her students creates a loving and accepting atmosphere for artistic growth. Rebecca invests significant time and effort in mentoring her students, helping them navigate various forms of art.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Rebecca for her unwavering support and leadership in the fine arts program at Red Bird. Her guidance not only improves students’ artistic abilities but also empowers their confidence and supports their personal growth.

Mrs. Rebecca Smallwood says, "Personally, I feel the Lord has given me a career highlight of my life through this class and these students."

Mama Said That it Was Okay: A Parent's Perspective

As a mother, I can't stress enough how beneficial art is for our children's well-being.

Teens experience all kinds of emotions—happiness, sadness, worry, excitement, and confusion—sometimes even all at once.

Art is an incredibly powerful way to express feelings, especially during those crazy and often chaotic middle school years.

As parents, we are the front seat passengers of this emotional rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs as our kids try to figure out who they are, manage friendships, and deal with school stress.

This is where the magic of art steps in, unfolding a world of possibilities. Art is like a safe haven where kids can immerse into creativity and share their deepest thoughts and feelings without having to rely on words. Using different art forms, they can express their experiences in ways that words just can't capture.

Whether it's splashing bright colors on a canvas, jamming out in the school band, or sketching with gentle strokes, every artistic activity gives kids a special way to work through their feelings, thoughts, and experiences.

As parents, it's super important to help our kids find a healthy way to express their feelings by steering them toward activities that match their interests and personalities. Activities like joining the school band let kids dive into the "ever evolving" form of art; music.

In the same way, photography (an artistic form of self expression) lets them capture the world in their own unique way, helping them appreciate their surroundings more and notice little details they might miss otherwise.

On top of that, painting and sketching give kids a hands-on way to play around with materials and show what’s going on inside their heads through visuals. These art forms let them share their thoughts and feelings, opening up a conversation between them and whoever’s looking at their work. This can be really freeing and eye-opening. By doing so, kids can get better at communicating, not just with others but also with themselves, helping them understand who they are and what they’ve been through.

In a creative environment, schools can help students boost their artistic skills, emotional intelligence, and resilience, giving them the tools they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. As a parent, I am thankful for Art Appreciation at Red Bird Christian School!

Hey parents! Your well-being is important too!

Rediscover your sense of self amidst the whirlwind of parenting.

Happiness, frustration, love, and feeling burnt out comes and goes like tidal waves.

Transform these emotions into something magical.

Create a cute little fairy garden in your flower bed, sketch that stunning sunset you enjoy while sipping coffee on the porch, or finally get that adult coloring book you've been admiring.

Also, make use of that journal that's been on your table for months! Write poetry, jot down a memorable moment with your kids that you want to cherish.

All of these activities are a form of self-care that you are worthy of.