Students have continued creating artwork throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To showcase their artwork, art teachers worked together to create a new type of art show for this year. 

Art Teacher Meghan O’Donnell said, “There was no way that we could follow the guidelines to have it in person. But we felt like it was very important to showcase all the hard work the students have done, because they’ve been making such amazing art.”

Usually, there is an in-person Rockwood District Art Show, but it was not able to happen last year. To prevent that cancellation from happening again, O’Donnell worked with two other teachers to create a website. The website features student art submitted from elementary, middle and high schools in the district. Although there were challenges with getting the website set up, it is now open and the artwork is viewable.

“One of the reasons why we love having the art show is just to showcase student work and all of the creativity that they have,” O’Donnell said. “We just give students the media and show them different techniques. Then it’s up to the students to do whatever pops into their head.”

Typically, the art show would only make it possible for students to share their artwork for one weekend at one location, but the website allows students to showcase their work outside of that. 

Although the art show was so different this year, O’Donnell sees positives with the new platform.

“It gives this opportunity to say, ‘hey, Grandma, here’s the link, you can see my artwork on this,’” O’Donnell said. “You’re able to put it out there and have a lot more viewers. People also have the opportunity to see it for longer.”

One student that has been able to take advantage of that opportunity this year is freshman Elizabeth Tremper. 

“It’s nice because it gives me a chance to show people what I can do and to show people that normally wouldn’t be able to see my artwork. I was able to show my grandparents what I have done,” Tremper said. 

The website will remain open until June 4, allowing students and other visitors to view the artwork and learn more about the different types of art created by Rockwood students.

“I feel like everyone should go see it, because they can from any device,” O’Donnell said. “There’s a lot of really cool artwork, and especially with the younger students, they are entering in the pieces they are most proud of. I think there’s even more of an emotional connection with the younger ones.”

The art show is available at the link below.

https://sites.google.com/rsdmo.org/districtartshow/home?authuser=0