Advantage Arts Academy, a K-6 charter school in Herriman, hosted its first art show to display work created by children in all grades. The exhibition demonstrated how students can experiment, create and express ideas through a variety of art mediums. 

Based on the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program, Advantage Arts (6171 W. 11800 South) integrates the study of art into all subject areas. The showcase displayed lessons students had learned throughout the year, all rooted in art. From sculpture to sketching, from painting to embroidery, each medium was incorporated into the curriculum. 

“We need to integrate arts with our core subjects,” said BTS Director Jenn Parks. “We use art as the mode for teaching and the mode for learning. If you need to know the content standards in order to complete the artwork, then that’s true art integration.”

First graders studying spiders learned about the insect’s structure before they could sculpt their own arachnids. Second graders created 3D maps of Utah that included topographical features. Students in fourth grade drew robots then built electrical circuits to light them up.

One class created a collection of seasons, using different watercolor techniques. A group of fourth graders depicted constellations through embroidery.

“They used French knots for the stars and then they embroidered the constellations. We actually have the southern and northern hemispheres’ constellations and they are displayed approximately where they are in the universe,” Parks said. 

Along with their class projects, each of the 350+ students submitted their favorite creation from the past year to display at the event. Those submissions were displayed, along with the students’ artist statements.

A series of self-portraits encouraged students to reflect on their place in the world. A mask display allowed students to decorate their masks in ways that reflected their true selves. Sixth graders studying history created self-portraits with a Renaissance theme, while fourth graders made a split self-portrait, with one half defining the things important to them.

“I love it. It is so fun. I’m not gonna lie,” Park said. “I used to be a regular teacher, but I’ve always been really big with integrating the arts. Now I work with all the grades because I’m not just an art teacher, I’m the BTS person and I have to know all the standards. That’s the way the BTS model actually works. They want you to do side-by-side teaching. So I find ways to collaborate with the teachers on what subject they’re working on.”

Bailey, a sixth-grader, said her assignment was to pour rice onto a paper, and then draw around the rice. That outline became a map for her kingdom where she drew forests, lakes, castles and villages. Ten-year-old McKay explained what he learned from using pastels to paint a piece of pie. “I learned that blending pastels can create a masterpiece.”

For more info about Advantage Arts Academy, visit advantagearts.org.