NHS Art Showcase included elementary and middle school artists

Niwot High School’s Second Annual Art Showcase was a big success Dec. 4-6. The show was hosted by the Niwot High School Booster Music Performance and Art which is affiliated with the Niwot High School Boosters, Inc., and sponsored by the Boulder School of Fine Art.

The show displayed art from both students at Niwot High School as well as from younger art students at Burlington Elementary School and Sunset Middle School. The show was started a year ago to help display the achievements of local arts students which often has been overlooked due to the popularity of athletics and other fields.

A large variety of mediums throughout the show were on display, including a wide array of acrylic paintings, colored pencil, graphite, mixed media, paper art, photography, felting, and sculpting.

The show also presented the opportunity for the young artists to have their work judged by professional artists. Audience members at the show were also encouraged to become judges themselves. Everyone who attended had the ability to vote for their favorite piece in the first two days of the show for the People’s Choice award. Other awards include Best in Show, Best Concept, Best Technical, Rising Star, and Cougar Artist.

Crystal Hinds, one of the lead organizers for the event, stated that the Art Showcase started about a year ago to give more attention to the art students who are often overshadowed by those who are interested in other fields. The showcase included 2D and 3D fine art created by students, as well as music played by the high school’s music programs.

Hinds, an art teacher from Niwot High School who spearheaded the Art Showcase, said, “Community participation helps our students connect to outside the school environments and brings reality to their work.”