BUENA PARK : Student Art Show Draws Recognition

Nine-year-old Alisa Dick wants to be an artist when she grows up, and the third-grader thinks it’s “pretty cool” that her painting is on public display.

“I’ve never got this chance before to get it on display,” said Alisa, whose painting is among the winning works in the city’s 17th annual Student Art Show. “I think it’s neat.”

“New Beginnings” is the theme for the event, which features the artworks of about 200 children ranging from kindergarten through sixth grade at local public and private schools.

Their creations will remain on display through March 25 inside the City Council chambers. They include crafts and works in watercolors, oils and pastels.

Alisa, a third-grader at Crescent Avenue Christian School, won a third-place award for her drawing of Adam and Eve talking to God, which was among entries from third-grade students.

“It seemed to me to be the beginning when God created Earth, and I thought that that might be a good idea to (draw),” Alisa said.

A reception was held last weekat the council chambers for the young artists, their parents and teachers. Included were winners of first, second and third place in each grade level, as well as special education students. Honorable mentions were given to the remaining finalists.

“One of the primary benefits for the children is the recognition of doing something that is creative and having it recognized for that value alone,” said Andrea Sheridan, chairwoman of the Student Art Show committee and vice chairwoman of the city’s Fine Arts Commission.

Sheridan said exhibiting students’ artwork boosts their self-esteem and encourages their continued involvement in the arts.

“The children really enjoy it and they get a gleam in their eyes that makes it worthwhile to be involved,” she said.

Teachers agreed that the art show is a way for students to appreciate art, as well as the work of their peers, said Alisa’s teacher, Angela Wood.

Wood said it also gives them a chance to “show their true talent and their creativeness.”

Mindy Rulison, a sixth-grade teacher at Walter Knott Elementary School, said she tries to instill an interest in art in her students.

“I encourage the kids to take lessons and to practice and not to trace, but to try it on their own,” said Rulison, who is also an artist. “Then it becomes their own interpretation.”

The teacher’s encouragement paid off for her student, Jae Lee, 12, who won a first prize for his still-life watercolor of fruits and vegetables.

“He’s very artistic,” Rulison said. “His work is beautiful.”

The sixth-grader said the honor was exciting.

“This is my first time winning, and it makes me feel good,” said Jae, who wants to be a scientist.

Jae said he draws to release stress and to express his feelings. Plus, he added, it is “kind of neat to be able to show off my talent.”

Rulison said the show sends students a message “that they don’t have to be an adult to be an artist. . . . It’s up on a prestigious wall--and not just a classroom wall.”

“To actually have it at a place separate from the school is very professional,” she said.

The exhibit is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday inside the City Council Chambers at Buena Park Civic Center, 665O Beach Blvd.