With over 600 pieces, the result was a bright, colorful, and inspiring art show.

Every student in the school from first to fourth grades complete a Wow Project as part of their art curriculum at Jefferson Elementary. Art teacher, Sheena Monson, has been teaching for 17 years and has system for inspiring the students artistic process.

First, she sets up art centers in the classroom, spots filled with different materials for the children to explore. Then students fill out a brainstorming and planning sheet. Afterwards, they go over it with Monson to be sure their ideas are school appropriate. Students then get the materials they want from the centers to make their subject matter.

After they work on the pieces for some time, they are required to get recommendations about their work.

Every student in Jefferson Elementary submitted a piece of artwork turning the multipurpose room into a gallery this past week, resulting in a bright, colorful, and inspiring art show.

“Students look at the artwork and see what would make it better,” Monson said. “Sometimes they ask me, but most times they ask each other; what could I do to make my message come across better? A lot of times they take the suggestions and sometimes they don’t.”

Students work on their piece for 30 minutes a class period and then they take a break and get to explore other projects for choice time. Students spend up to three weeks or longer on an individual “Wow Project.” After, they post it on an art website called Artsonia to share with parents and caregivers.

“The Wow Project is about perseverance and sticking with it for a while because at this age they just want to do something really a quick and then throw it out and do something new,” Monson said. “We’re really working on yeah, it’s tough now, but we’re gonna work through this, and we’re gonna keep going and sick with it.”

Visitors to the show had the chance to sign the guest book, round white stickers that were posted to a wall. With the closing of the show, the guest book will be place in the school hall, allowing students see all of the comments and encouragement from their community and families.

“I love the student’s excitement for art, and I love that they don’t seem to be discouraged that their artwork doesn’t always look how they want it to appear,” Monson said. “I love that they come to class, and they want to work, and they work hard. The biggest thing that I want people to know this is their choice; this is what they chose to work on and it’s their personalities coming through. They had to work through a process and use problem solving and come up with solutions and they are proud of it.”

Joey Krenz, 4th grade, stands with his hot glue and cardboard assembled and painted sculpture of monkeys in the jungle.

Ashlyn Stoll, in 4th grade, holds her found object assembled art sculpture, which is a bunk bed with movable little people.

Everly Clipp, 3rd grade, painted a scene of her four beloved dogs on the couch looking out the window.

Henry Weymann, 2nd grade, stands with his graphite drawing of grapefruits and toy soldiers.

Zachary Laffrenzen, 2nd grade, drew a dog with marker for the Jefferson Elementary Art show this past week.

A small crowd gathered Thursday evening for Jefferson Elementary’s annual art show. There were hundreds of pieces in the show, one for each child attending the school.