Winners of Alton Elementary School 'Under the Sea' art show announced

Alton Elementary School art students had a massive display recently showcasing their talents, put together by art teacher Annie Whitten. The show has been held annually for several years, but this was the second year a theme was chosen. This year was "Under The Sea," and featured two-dimensional and three-dimensional art from preschool through fifth grade students. This large piece, made to look like a coral reef, was constructed with recycled and upcycled materials like cardboard packaging and tubes, painted dry pasta pieces and stacked paper cups, plus conventional materials like paper mache and pipe cleaners. It was the centerpiece placed near the entrance, and enhanced by special lighting to make it look as if it was underwater and glowing.

STAFF PHOTOS / KIMBERLY LANGSTON

Weaving is part of the art curriculum at Alton Elementary School, including these "dreamcatcher" style creations. In her classroom, art teacher Annie Whitten emphasizes not only learning how to use the tools and materials of art-making, but problem-solving and independent learning, as well as "creating from their minds.” Her teaching technique is to give a prompt and trust the students to take things from there without too much instruction, allowing them to build confidence in their creative decisions. For example, one student was beginning a weaving project and wanted to now how to make a pattern. The student was able to do some research and successfully learned how to include an American flag in the project.

A sea turtle sculpture made from recycled materials, with marbles for eyes, was made as a group project by Alton Elementary School fifth graders. Art teacher Annie Whitten said the students sacrificed their recess a couple of days a week for about four months to get the job done. Whitten is a former science teacher who incorporates other lessons like the biology of animals or social studies into her lessons. For example, she taught about the Industrial Revolution and Henry Ford while the class put together the parts of a large piece assembly-line style, and when students made drawings of crabs they were directed to give them expressions that represented different emotions.

Alton Elementary School art teacher Annie Whitten has been a teacher for 12 years, starting out teaching science, and has been an art teacher for nine years. There are about 280 elementary school students at Alton, and each of them had art on view at their recent art show, with an "Under the Sea" theme. Whitten put together an elaborate display that incorporated special lighting, large collaborative efforts like a simulated coral reef, and a photo backdrop. Her teaching method is to relate projects to other subjects like science, history and social studies.

Posted Tuesday, May 7, 2024 1:15 pm

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET

ALTON — Winners in Alton Elementary School’s recent "Under the Sea" themed art show are among entries from 280 students. The event showcased the work of all students in the school and was part of an elaborate and colorful display by art teacher Annie Whitten that filled the halls of the school and ended with an awards ceremony.

Best of Show was awarded to Tatum Bandy, kindergarten; Justice Bradford, first grade; Arieonna Vater, second grade; Caleb Bland, third grade; Kylie Bea, fourth grade; and Jadelyn Pearson and Bella McFarland, fifth grade.

First place winners are Charlie Gray, kindergarten; Hattie Orr, first grade; Brianna Gonzalez, second grade; Charlie Palmer, third grade; Alexander Morgan, fourth grade; and Stormy Crigler fifth grade.

Second place winners are Harley Crabtree, kindergarten; Oaklee Poe, first grade; Rosie Griffin, second grade; Zoey Ellison, third grade; Kynlee Willard, fourth grade; and Bella McFarland, fifth grade.

Third place winners are Carter Schmidt, kindergarten; Smokey Crigler, first grade; Adeline Fettig, second grade; Jozalyn Bell, third grade; Sadie Lager, fourth grade; and Owen Combs, fifth grade.

Winners of Alton Elementary School 'Under the Sea' art show announced

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