A Work of Art – Huntington’s Kraly Masters School Art Show Preparation
By Nellie Belkofer, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- Do you know how much time goes into an elementary art show? It takes months and a lot of time. Erin Kraly is an art teacher at Huntington Elementary who puts together and oversees all of the school’s art shows. She picks out themes and decides what each grade is doing. Kraly includes different sections and styles and puts it all together. It might seem like it is just putting streamers up and hanging up art but it is so much more.
Kraly explained that she starts picking a theme by the end of each school year and then works on it during the summer. Kraly and Kristy Piper, Huntington Elementary’s music teacher, picks out what song each grade will be singing and they also decide what projects to do. Kraly has to have people register so she can determine how many people will be attending.
Kraly explained that she has about two or three art projects per grade at the start of the year and does more throughout the year. She starts planning and working on all of them in the summer and by the start of the school year.
Kraly organizes that art by each student, putting every child’s artwork in a line near their homeroom and grade level. She even labels every piece of artwork with the name of the child who created it and any other important information.
Kraly puts so much effort and time into her job and her art shows reflect that. She works tirelessly after school and during school to make sure that everything is perfect, believing that every child and family deserves that.
So, whenever you see an art show, even if it is just a school one, know how much time and effort the people who run it put into it and how important it is. And, when the opportunity presents itself, extend a well-deserved “thank you” to art educators like Erin Kraly.
Nellie Belkofer, Brunswick Middle School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: Kraley holds a live snake for students to touch and observe; artwork inspired by this experience; art themes displayed throughout Huntington.