Tuesday, May 20, 2025
53 ° Clear
53 ° Clear
On April 3, Warwick Elementary School was transformed into a celebration of creativity as the school held its first-ever student art show. From 6 to 8 pm, hallways were lined with colorful works of art, families filled the building, and the spirit of artistic expression was front and center.
The show featured one piece of 2-dimensional artwork from every student in grades 1 through 6. These ranged from pencil and marker drawings to vivid acrylic and tempera paintings. Approximately 150 to 160 students attended with their families, each proudly showcasing their artistic talents.
“It was a great turnout,” said Marc West, an elementary art teacher at both Warwick and Buckingham Elementary Schools. “Each student had one piece on display, and they were really proud of their work. It was a big deal for them to see it up on the wall and share it with their families.” West works alongside Olivia Servidio, also an art teacher at Warwick who splits her time between this school and Doyle Elementary School.
The show was carefully curated with separate gallery spaces for grades 1–3 and 4–6. Special ceiling-hung displays helped fill the space, creating a dynamic viewing route that guided visitors through the entire exhibit. Families, grandparents included, were encouraged to drop in at any time during the two-hour window. Many parents could be seen snapping photos of their children proudly standing next to their artwork.
West shared that students were deeply engaged in the lead-up to the show. “I usually hang the work a few days prior, and every day the kids were enthusiastically walking through the hallways trying to find their piece. They were so excited.”
A highlight of the evening for students was watching painter and TV personality Bob Ross on a large projector screen located in the school cafeteria, while kids and families worked together on activity and coloring sheets. “Bob Ross has really become important with the students over the past few years,” West explained. “It’s always a fan favorite.”
In addition to enjoying the artwork and activities, students who attended the show received a raffle ticket for a chance to win a basket full of art supplies. This small touch added extra excitement and encouraged students to be part of the event.
West, who has been teaching at Warwick for four years, spearheaded the idea for the show. “When I came to the school, I said we should have an art show. It’s a big part of being an artist, displaying your work and having conversations about your process. That’s why I started it, and families were so appreciative.”
The show also plays a crucial role in encouraging students’ future interest in art. “For our older students in fifth and sixth grades, this might be their last formal art class if they choose not to take art in middle school,” said West. “So it’s a special chance for them to reflect on how far they’ve come and decide whether they want to continue.”
At the same time, younger students get inspired by seeing the advanced projects created by older grades. “They’ll ask, ‘When are we going to do that project?’” West said. “It gets them excited for what’s ahead.”
The art curriculum at Warwick emphasizes both foundational and technical skills. “For grades 1–3, we focus on elements like color families, line, shape, and pattern. In upper grades, we get into things like one-point perspective and drawing with a grid to recreate cartoon characters accurately,” explained West.
Although this year’s show featured only 2D work, West hopes to build on the event in the future. “At Buckingham, we turn the hallway into a black light gallery with neon projects. That’s something I’d love to bring to Warwick next time,” he said. The plan is to alternate shows between the two schools, making Warwick’s art show a biennial event.
West is passionate about the broader value of art education. “I believe we should be teaching the whole child, not just academics. Creativity is a big part of that,” he said. “For some students, art is when they shine. If you take that away, it affects their motivation across the board.”
He emphasized that art is about more than the final product. “When you break it down, the process of creating is very intelligent and thorough. It teaches problem solving, collaboration, and planning; skills that are useful in every area of life.”
Warwick Elementary’s debut art show marks a new tradition, one that not only celebrates student creativity but also strengthens the school community. As West put it, “If you foster that artistic and creative mind from the time kids are in elementary school, by the time they leave high school, some of them have an unbelievable set of skills and ideas. It’s important to start that young.”
Warwick Elementary School is part of the Central Bucks School District, the third largest school district in the state outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Central Bucks will host its district-wide art show at Central Bucks High School South, 1100 Folly Rd. in Warrington, where student artwork from grades 1 through 12 will be on display for the public. The art show will take place Friday, May 30, (Show Opening) 6 pm – 8 pm; Saturday, May 31,, 10 am – 3 pm; and Sunday, June 1, 10 am – 3 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
