People enjoying the open house and admiring the art on the walls at Barron Library. (Caloosa Belle/Val White)

On Thursday, December 7, the LaBelle Middle and West Glades Elementary Schools teamed up to showcase their middle school aged art students art work in an Art Show Open House at the Barron Library in LaBelle.

Mrs. Caldwell and Miss Schauer’s students art was all of a monochromatic wintry theme and there were light refreshments served,

I was able to chat with Mrs. Heather Caldwell and she told me “This is the first art class we’ve had in a very long time (at West Glades). Last year I had done some doodles and the kids saw them and said ‘Miss, please be our art teacher!’”

Mrs. Caldwell explained that she had recently been exploring her artistry, personally, and so when the invitation came to teach art to her students she jumped at the chance. With the administration on board, and after a crash course summer certification for teaching art, West Glades offered their students an art class.

“I was really excited because I knew the people here at the Barron Library and they introduced me to Miss Schauer, the new art teacher at LaBelle Middle School, and for us to be able to come together and do this was amazing. I don’t think this has happened for a very long time, if ever, and I thought this was a really good idea!” Heather said.

“I think it’s been really exciting for the students who have been coming to see the show. A lot of them didn’t even have art in the show but they’ve been showing up to support their friends. We had one girl who was FaceTiming her friend who couldn’t come. I thought that was so cute,” she added.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the really fantastic artwork by our local middle school art students, head down to the Barron Library and peruse the display.