By JESSICA BALANZA

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Students at Westchase Elementary will not only have their art displayed, but will also have an opportunity to speak with some community artists during the annual Arts Festival.

Westchase Elementary art teachers Linda Whitelaw and Jamie Jensen have been working with their students throughout the school year in preparation for the festival, while
Lynne Piontek, PTA chairwoman for the event, has coordinated with artists to attend and speak with the children.

The end result is an opportunity for all students to have their own small-scale art show and gain some insight from different artists within the community.

“It’s a day for children to show off their own art and get in touch with different kinds of artists,” Piontek said.

The event, in its seventh year, will have about 10 artists from the community attending. The artists will include jewelers, watercolor artists, floral designers and more.

Piontek added there will be three students – a graphic designer, recording artist and fashion designer – from the International Academy of Design attending to provide information.

Whitelaw said about 800 students will have their artwork displayed.

She explained the children work on a specific project in class. The artwork is later mounted on a large banner with the child’s name underneath.

“You can see how everyone took one concept and made it their own and they get to show it off to everyone,” said Jensen.

More than 100 banners will be on display in the covered court area, Whitelaw added.

During the festival, classes will have a designated time when they are allowed to tour the art displays and then stop by the artists’ stations.
The children’s work will be on display for one week.

“It’s an opportunity to display what they have learned and they can take pride in what they did,” said Jensen.

Whitelaw said the event originally started as a small art show for the students and parents to attend in the evening.

After about two years, the PTA become involved and expanded the fest by adding community members to become involved and bring outside knowledge on various types of art.

“When you see the projects they do it’s not just paint on paper,” Piontek said.

“It gives kids who struggle academically to have their day to shine,” said Jensen.

The art fest will take place in the school’s covered court area, 9517 W. Linebaugh Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today.

For information, call Westchase Elementary, 631-4600.