Minnesota Prairie Roots

ON THE SECOND FLOOR of the Paradise Center for the Arts, along a horseshoe of hallways and inside a classroom space, the artwork of Faribault area students is showcased during a month-long Student Exhibition.

Art by Faribault Middle School students.

By Zabdy Espinal, Faribault Middle School seventh grader.

I toured the exhibit recently with camera in hand, admiring the talents of kindergartners through 12th graders.

By Faribault Middle School sixth grader Avery Dressen.

By Ava Nelson, seventh grader at Faribault Middle School.

A potter works down the hallway from art that splashes vivid hues onto a wall.

From bold to subdued,

By Anzal Abdi of Roosevelt Elementary School.

By Ruby H. from Nerstrand Elementary School.

By Gracie Molden, Faribault Lutheran School seventh grader.

from symbolic to wildly creative, the variety of art in this annual show always impresses me.

Each piece of art is tagged with the artist’s name and school.

I consider not only the creative minds that drew and painted and shaped these pieces, but the honor of having that work on public view. What an incredible way to encourage young people in pursuing, or simply enjoying, art.

Portraits by Lincoln Elementary School third graders Tyrese Monahan, left, and Michael Chappuis, right.

Art by Cannon River STEM School students, Megan, left to right, Abby and Carrie.

Can you imagine the pride Avery or Ava or Tyrese or Anzal or any one of the many students feels when seeing their work, their art, displayed in a community art center?

Prince portrait by Jada Fairbanks, senior at Faribault Area Learning Center.

These young people are our future. We want them to value art. They are our future graphic designers, our potters, our photographers, our painters, our book illustrators, our patrons of the arts.

By Dania Soto, Roosevelt Elementary School.

Classroom turned art gallery for the Student Exhibition.

Showcased on a window is the art of Faribault Lutheran School first grader Frankie Spicer with other student art in the background.

For today, they are our student artists, developing their skills through the guidance and encouragement of teachers and parents. And a community art center that understands and values the creativity of young people.

FYI: The Student Exhibition features the works of students from Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Nerstrand Elementary Schools, Faribault Lutheran School, Faribault Middle School, Cannon River STEM School, Faribault Area Learning Center and the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind. The show closes on April 14.

Check back for a post on clay artist Layl McDill whose work is showing in the main gallery at the Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Avenue North, Faribault.

© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Student art was photographed with permission of the PCA. Artwork is copyrighted by the individual artists.