Pop art at Whitman Post Elementary, space art at Rockton Grade School

Whitman Post displayed around 1,200 pieces of pop art, while RGS students contributed over 4,000 pieces centered on a space theme.

At Whitman Post, the colorful showcase included a life-size ice cream sundae that greeted guests at the entrance.

Created by student Makel, the sundae featured a scoop crafted from a Styrofoam ball wrapped in aluminum foil, topped with a cherry. “I used a Styrofoam ball for the ice cream sundae and the cherry on top,” Makel explained. Next to the sundae sat a giant box of Sour Patch Kids.

Logan GeRue created a drawing of “Shadow the Hedgehog” by using a charcoal pencil, colored pencils and Posca paint markers. He also installed a battery-operated green light in the piece.

Paintings and sketches of familiar characters like Hello Kitty and Baby Yoda added variety to the show.

The central column of the school was transformed into a full-size Campbell’s soup can.

“Part of the creative challenge every year is to find ways to integrate the column into the theme. Fitting with this year's theme it was only natural to combine the works of Andy Warhol and Claus Oldenberg to create a huge soup can,” said WPES art teacher Dan Enderle.

“This fit the theme and the proportions of the column well. It just took a little math to get the scale right.”

Further honoring Warhol's work, a variety of ceramic soup cans highlighted fun themes. Robyn's Pizza Soup had a baby photo in the middle of the can. A different design was named, Dragon O's, while another displayed Cat Soup. Colorful paper flowers graced part of a wall.

Hanging from the ceiling was a picture with Macaulay Culkin as the character of Kevin screaming in the 1990 movie, “Home Alone.” In the far right corner was another photo of the two robbers in the film who were tripped up by his cleverness. This artist used the skill of expressionism to bring this piece to life.

A photo of Marilyn Monroe encased in a frame detailed intricate work done through pointillism, a technique that uses tiny dots or strokes of contrasting colors to create images that blend together from a distance.

Photos of artists such as Andy Warhol and Bob Ross turned heads, along with a collection of student self-portraits.

WPES Principal Megan Forsythe was dressed as Mexican artist and painter Frida Kahlo, who was best known for self portraits.

A stunning depiction of the Mona Lisa grabbed attention.

Students used Tinkercad to create unique 3D-printed artworks like toothpaste squeezers and magnets. 

Other attention-capturing artwork featured three dimensional (3D) clay pieces, a cupcake display, and interpretive styles of Rubik's Cubes. Parodies added lots of fun.

One full size cardboard cutout displayed a female basketball player.

Sketches, drawings, pop ups, coil and clay pots and creatures, optical illusions, ceramics, pop art mugs and special works abounded.

Paper mache was used to create various pieces. God's eyes were made out of Popsicle sticks and yarn.

Other elements and techniques were used to assemble art in a gaming area, and on puzzle styled pieces.

Meanwhile, WPES' library was bustling with those who love to read finding their favorites at a BOGO Book Fair.

At Rockton Grade School, more than 4,000 pieces of student art filled the halls, all inspired by a space theme. The collection included 3D clay sculptures, drawings, sketches, and other creative projects.

RGS art teacher April Graves handed out nature-themed keychains to students during the show.

A sign on one wall read, “If you eat too many space tacos you will glow in the dark.”

This sign led the way to a section of neon pictures created with neon colored pencils and highlighted by black lights.

Graves said, “The student's first project was to make a self portrait in a rocket ship. In space they found an alien. Each alien had a story.” One of the art pieces showed an alien living in houseplants that was escaping from a jar, Another was living in ice cream. This might be something that an alien likes to eat.

Each alien theme was based on the age and classes of the students, such as "Disney" or being "busy like a bee."

Students used their imagination to share a related career path with flowers.

Remaining true to the space theme, a Christmas tree was decorated with space ornaments. A large sign in the back corner read, “Christmas is just Out of This World!”

Both schools added to their warm and welcoming environments by offering popcorn and punch.

An impressive display filled the hallways of both schools, stunning the visiting crowd who came out to the best of each masterpiece.