SUNDERLAND — Hundreds of Elementary School students led parents through the school’s cafeteria-turned-art-gallery Tuesday, excitedly showing off their artwork during the school’s annual Arts Night.
“I love making art! When you succeed at making something and it’s awesome, it’s like ‘whoa!’” said third-grader Mia Garcia, who was there with her siblings, preschooler Anastasia Garcia and second-grader Joseph Garcia.
Outside, the school’s parking lot was full, and cars lined Swampfield Road out to Old Amherst Road.
“Sunderland does it right,” said parent Bill Hodgeman, while standing in front of strings of “1,000 paper cranes” hanging in front of windows. Elsewhere, “identity pinwheels” spun in front of a whirring box fan, drawings covered walls, and “creative clay faces” stared up from a table.
In total, Art Teacher Catherine Richotte said about 400 art pieces were on display throughout the school, created by more than 200 students up through sixth grade.
“How great is it to have families be supportive of the arts? We get a great turnout, and students are excited to show their work. They’re proud of it,” Richotte said. “One of my philosophies is to teach artistic behavior. We want students to be creative, innovative problem solvers who are hard working and persistent.”
Later, artists and parents alike packed into the school’s gymnasium for a musical showcase featuring student performances — with and without vocals — led by Music Teacher Susan Matsui, who played guitar.
“They do such a fantastic job here,” said parent and UMass Music Professor Jeffrey W. Holmes, whose two sons, fourth-grader Noah and kindergartner Oscar, performed in the show. Together, with wife and singer Dawna Holmes, the family helped students perform Louis Armstrong’s “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”
“It’s a different form of expression. It helps promote creativity, confidence and risk taking,” said Principal Benjamin Barshefsky, about the school’s focus on the arts. “One of the roles we have as adults is to develop critical thinking skills — art provides that opportunity.”
Barshefsky also noted that, for many students, it was their first time performing in front of a large audience. And for parents, it was a chance to see their children’s art prominently displayed and performed somewhere other than on the fridge or in the house.
“This is my favorite event of the year. I cry every year because it’s so sweet and beautiful,” said resident Jennifer Unkles, parent of fourth-grader Thomas Unkles. “I’m glad our school has an emphasis on art and keeps art alive. It’s a way of expression.”
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