BY KARISSA MILLER
At Cool Spring Elementary, the universe isn’t just something you learn about, it’s also something you create.
For student Isaiah Lail, art is a fun place where imagination takes shape.
Standing proudly beside his hand-crafted ceramic vase wrapped in painted vines and flowers, the 10-year-old couldn’t hide his excitement.
“It’s my top favorite class,” he said with a grin. “I like making stuff with clay and building things.”
That same excitement filled the halls Thursday evening as the school hosted its third annual art show in conjunction with Family Night.
Student artwork transformed the hallways and classrooms into a gallery inspired by this year’s theme: “Our Universe, Our Home.”
“The art exhibition explores what we see, think and wonder with our minds, hands and hearts,” said art teacher Laruen Lewis.
This is the first year that students received sketchbooks, Lewis said, and their creativity has soared.
“My students aren’t afraid of ‘messing up.’ Sketchbooks helped them think on paper and allowed them to fully explore their ideas,” she explained.
The event drew nearly 500 attendees. The building hummed with conversations about artwork and with quiet moments of admiration as parents and students paused to take a look at each display.
The artwork included fiber art hung alongside mixed media pieces. Printmaking projects lined the walls. Traditional Japanese Shibori tie-dye added bursts of pattern and color, while younger students explored movement through displays like the first-grade “Paddle to the Sea” installation.
Local ceramist Olivia Lenderman had her artwork on display and talked with the students about her pottery. She works with “wild clay” and told students about her various techniques, including incorporating glass into the glazed look of some of her vases.
According to Lewis, each grade level contributed something unique.
Students documented their creative journeys through “See, Think, Wonder” sketchbooks, capturing both process and imagination. Fifth-graders demonstrated technical skill through detailed self-portraits created using the grid method. Students also received helped from their English teachers to write about their portraits.
For Isaiah’s mother, Cortney Lail, the night was about more than artwork.
“It’s a family-oriented, safe school,” she said, watching students guide their parents through the exhibits. “They take the time with the kids. They’re patient, gentle and very encouraging for both the kids and the parents.”
That sense of connection extended beyond the art itself. Inside the classrooms, parents were a part of student-led conferences, where children take ownership of their learning and their work in all subjects.
Teacher Mandy Harrington said that some of her students played sports, but came to the event early dressed in their uniforms.
“We have a good turnout even with busy schedules. Students show parents their data sheets and their goals,” she said.
It’s a model that seems to be working. Students weren’t just displaying projects—they were telling stories, explaining techniques and sharing what inspired them.
“Tonight is their time to shine. Art is important to them, and they get to show their parents and grandparents what they’ve created,” Lewis said.
Student Zipporah Hollifield likes art, but her favorite subjects are math and reading.
“I like it here because of my teachers and all of my friends,” Hollifield said.
Her mom Amanda Hollifield said as a parent she likes Cool Spring because of the strong community feel, focus on academic excellence and the great teachers.
The student artwork will remain on display in the coming weeks for the alumni banquet and for any families that might not have been able to attend the event.
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