From certain vantage points at just the right moment, one could see and hear a dozen or more different forms of art at one time during Killeen ISD’s annual art festival Saturday at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.
In one corner, children and family members gathered at tables to plunge their hands into clay or slime or to draw or color or make a heart to add to a collaborative heart-shaped art project.
There in the far corner, another group of children gathered with other volunteers – KISD art teachers and students – face painting, spin art, black-light selfies and more.
At various times, you could look up at the stage and see a KISD high school or middle school dance team, band, orchestra, or even a mariachi band of Rancier Middle School students who meet on their own to play.
All of that was contained in just a portion of the conference room.
Most of the rest of the facility showcased the KISD art show, probably 1,000 or more paintings, sculptures, digital art and other pieces courtesy of a portion of the 6,000-plus KISD secondary students enrolled in visual art classes.
Even that wasn’t all. Local artists set up in the lobby, and a sidewalk artist chalked the walkway.
This was the first year to include the performing arts groups from seven KISD schools and to add a speaker.
For KISD Fine Arts Director Morganne Davies it’s the community involvement and the active participation that highlighted this year’s event, called the Creative Canvas Art Festival.
“We are proud of our partnership with the city of Killeen. They provided the local artists and the food trucks to help give that family feel,” she said.
“We think it’s important for the community to get to make art as well as to get to appreciate it.”
Performers included the Palo Alto Sparklers dance team, Audie Murphy Fancy Falconettes, Rancier Hispanic Heritage Music Group, Killeen High School Concert Band, JDA and Patterson string orchestra, Chaparral High School Orchestra and Willow Springs Bluejay Choir.
This is a significant time for the visual arts. Killeen ISD schools are participating in Big Art Day March 6 with many groups working on heart-shaped projects in collaboration.
The student art work remains on display until March 5.
Art festival ahoto gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720332262686