WEST COLUMBIA, SC -- Wood Elementary’s fine arts teachers and students invited their families for a trip around the world for the annual Fine Arts Night.
The school’s biome-inspired event, titled Nature’s Canvas, featured nearly 2,600 pieces of artwork from all of the school’s students, with displays that took visitors to places including an African savanna, tundra, desert, ocean, and rainforest. The show also featured the popular black-light Glow Gallery, launched 5-10 years ago that has become a crowd favorite.
Erin Erwin, Wood’s current Teacher of the Year and a 20-year veteran art teacher, and fellow art colleague Courtnie Wooten worked with students throughout the school year to make artwork for the exhibition, while music teachers Kristen Rhyner and Diamond Tyler produced music. Other teachers throughout the school pitched in to make the extraordinary display happen, creating work with their classrooms, decorating their hallways, and volunteering to guide families through the school during Thursday’s event.
Erwin said this year’s theme incorporates learning standards from across all elementary grade levels.
“It is especially meaningful to see students make connections with their learning across the curriculum,” Erwin said. “They have been seeking out books about biomes in the library and researching animals and biomes independently because of their excitement for what they are learning.”
Erwin said this Wood Elementary tradition is a favorite for students, families and school teachers and staff. Hundreds of families attended.
“This event is a culmination of the hard work we've done all year and an opportunity for students to show off their creative talents,” Erwin said. “I am extremely proud of our students and my related arts team. It fills me with joy to see our entire school community get involved. It truly is a favorite event.”