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Recent visitors to the Clark County Public Library might have noticed that the environment seems a bit more decorated. 

They were not alone in their assessment. 

The first ever Clark County Public Schools District-Wide Art Showcase is in the midst of taking place, with displays being shown at Clark County Public Library from Saturday, March 8th, through Monday, March 24, during open hours. 

Molly Sell, an art teacher at Baker Intermediate School, explained how the showcase came to be. 

“This past summer…the district actually provided us a full day of professional development where all of the different related arts teams…were able to get together,” she said. “We’d never displayed artwork all together [with] kindergarten through fourth grade, and so we were really excited about that.” 

Additional art teachers involved are Caleb Burchett, Kristin Gray, Makayla Singleton, John Joseph, Caleb Paul, Ashley Brinker, and Brittani Fuller. 

“We each chose ten pieces of two-dimensional art, and then up to five pieces of three-dimensional art,” Sell said. “Those pieces were just supposed to highlight…the best of those schools’ programs [that] displayed exceptional craftsmanship, originality, [and] great composition. We wanted pieces that elicited an emotional response.” 

Sell clarified that while two-dimensional images could include drawings, paintings, and collages, three-dimensional images might include art made of clay, cardboard, or paper structures. 

While enthusiasm started with the art teachers, it has carried onto the students and other staff. 

“I know my principal…is super excited about it,” said Sell. “The kids are so excited about it too…which makes it all worth it.” 

Sell hopes to see the project continue to build in the future. 

“I’m hoping…we can expand it even more,” she said. “I think it would be super fun…to have a display of…some of the art teachers themselves or even some of the other staff members in the schools. There’s a lot of creativity and a lot of innovation that’s happening across the board at Clark County.” 

Judges will be Clark County Public Schools Board Members Paula Thomas, Dora Hall, and Carl Kiser, as well Amber Murphy and Tiffany Austin. 

Sell acknowledges Murphy and Austin as playing a significant role with the project by helping with publicity and communication between departments. 

A public voting form, used as another form of assessment, can also be accessed at https://forms.gle/fh3G56afgLGMjfdf9 and via QR code at the library. 

At the same location, an awards reception for the showcase will occur on Wednesday, March 26, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.