7th Annual Night of the Arts

This is the seventh year our amazing music teacher and I have put on the Night of the Arts!  This event showcases work from every student from Pre-K to 5th grade.  We have crafts for families and a music performance including all of the instrumental and choral groups at our school.   

Each year, we expand the idea of a Night of the Arts even more, but the process gets easier and even more fun!  The art exhibit in the cafeteria opens at 5:00 and ends just after 7:00.  The music performance in the multi purpose space begins at 6:00.  The challenge is that this is a one night event that must be all set up and taken down in the one day.  

Mural was painted by 3rd grade. Butterflies were created by kindergarten.

Each student has one artwork in the show and they are organized by grade level and class. We have nearly 650 artworks displayed this year!

Over the years, I've learned a few things that make life so much easier around art show time.  It can get crazy, but I live by these rules:

1.  It's never too early to start getting ready for the big art show.  I begin in January so that I can slowly make sure all students finish their artwork, prep the artwork, and promote the event.
2.  Tape rolls!  Whenever you have a few extra minutes, sit down and make some tape rolls.  Stick them to a lunch tray and save them for later.  This will save you so, so much time the week and day of the show.
3.  Ask for help.  This one is hard for me, but having the support means so much to me and makes the whole event easier.  Parent volunteers cut my laminated artworks, PTO provides the refreshments, students help me move artwork in to the cafeteria the day of, teachers help me set up, and teachers and staff also help teach the crafts during the Night of the Arts.  At the end of the night, I have to take the whole show down (except for the mural) because the school needs the space for breakfast the next day.  Everyone, even some parents, help bring it all back to my room that night.  I could not do this event without the amazing support I have at my school.

The table easels from Blick were new this year and I love them!

I like to think of the crafts as extension activities that relate to the projects displayed in the art show.

It was such a beautiful Night of the Arts!  The mural is still hanging for a few more weeks, but then it will all be taken down, too.  And I'm already thinking of some new concepts for the next Night of the Arts...