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Brecksville-Broadview Heights Students Display Their Creativity With the Students in the Arts Program

Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School will turn into art gallery of student work.

Students in the Arts, a Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District art contest, almost didn’t happen this year.

But thanks to parent volunteers and leader Trish Oswald, more than 300 students in grades kindergarten through 12th participated this spring. Oswald opted to head the program when no one else would and saved this year's contest.

“To keep the art alive, in my opinion, can take a little more energy,” said Oswald, whose middle school-aged daughter had participated five years previously.

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With her art background and desire to keep art prospering in the schools, Oswald came up with ideas to help produce new success for Students in the Arts. For example, the prizes are more consistent, with each 1st- through 3rd-place student getting a money reward and certificate, rather than varying by grade levels. 

Winners will be announced at the 7 p.m. April 21 reception at . Judges chosen carefully by Oswald and the program committee will decide the contest. 

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“We contacted people that we individually knew of or people who are brilliant to their field of art, whether they are a writer or an English teacher in a different district,” said Tia Began, who worked with Oswald.

The evening will have the feel of an art gallery with display boards, music and hors d’oeuvres, Oswald said. To promote the arts, tables will be set up with businesses related to the arts, such as the Cleveland Museum of ArtThe Kiln on 82 and the . 

“To me, it’s a tie-in to the community to let community know the arts exist,” Oswald said.

To further this community connection, the art will be displayed at the  in May, she added.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School art teachers Deborah King and Ann Henderson said they appreciate the Students in the Arts contest. King pointed out in a conversation that after 6th grade, most students have to choose between language class or art class – and usually pick language. 

In a letter emailed to Brecksville Patch, King said, “Students, who are not enrolled in art class within the school year, may still find a means to express themselves to experience the process of a juried show and to gain recognition for their artistic endeavors.”

Also during conversation, King mentioned the benefit of art to students and how this program is an outlet for creativity. 

The art contest allows students to express this creativity in the form of music, three- or two-dimensional art, writing and/or photography.

“Arts are constantly changing, and a futuristic goal for us is to continue to get the community involved in the arts at all levels,” Oswald said. She added that she hopes to grow the program beyond the schools to the surrounding communities.

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