Emerging talents art show planned for WOWSPACE

For those in need of their art fix, look no further than the WOWSPACE at the end of the month.

The Emerging Talents Art Show is back for its ninth year to showcase projects from students in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District. The event will take place each Saturday and Sunday between May 27 and June 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrance to the show is free.

“I work with the art teachers throughout the year at the three schools in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District,” said Elaine Diffor, who is putting the show on. “Throughout the year, they choose what they want to be in this show from each art section that they have. They have two projects from each art section, kindergarten through 12th grade.”

This art ranges from paintings to drawings to sculptures. The art is anything that the art teachers deem fits to display.

“It is the kids’ art — it is whatever the teachers have put aside,” said Diffor. “There are some three-dimensional things if they have done ceramics, otherwise it is whatever project the art teacher had going on. It always a fun show, because you see the creativity and innocence of these little kindergarten and first-graders. They are very creative.”

During the last weekend of the art show, June 10-11 — which coincides with Wittenberg Community Days, the students are honored with a reception after the parade.

“After the parade on the 11th, we have a reception for everyone to give more recognition and honor to the kids, whose art had been chosen for this show,” said Diffor. “The public is invited to it. It is just a good time to pay some attention to the arts.”

Diffor said that this art show gives students the opportunity to broadcast their art to a larger audience.

“That is where a lot of kids excel and the only place that they see their work is on their mom’s or grandma’s refrigerator,” said Diffor. “This is really a good place to show off their talents.”

Throughout the past nine of years of hosting these art show, Diffor said that the Wittenberg community has had a very warm reception to seeing the art of local students.

“The kids like to come and bring their parents and relatives,” said Diffor. “I think it has been good for the community.”

In regards to why she puts the show on, Diffor said that she believes art is important and this show gives students an ability to showcase their talents if they don’t participate in sports or other extra-curricular activities.

“It is something that I think is kind of looked over too much or too lightly — it just isn’t given enough attention,” said Diffor. “I like to draw the community and the people in — it is a show that brings in no money, unless someone feels like they want to throw a donation in, but I feel that it is a good community service and that people can just get to see what our kids doing.”