Local kids give the gift of creativity with annual art show
Art In the Afternoon raises $1,000 for Friends of the Black Mountain Library
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
June 7, 2022
From left to right, fourth graders Gilly Mccubbin, Lilly Harrold, Kaleyse McCormick, Eila Day, Mollie Ferguson and Leah Vanderpuy are among the young artists featured in the Art In the Afternoon Art Show, which will remain on display in the Education Room of the Black Mountain Library through June 18. The corresponding silent auction raised more than $1,000 for the Friends of the Black Mountain Library. Photo by Tasha McCormick
The mere presence of children, with their seemingly endless supply of energy and infectious laughter, is itself viewed as a gift by many. The creativity and perspective of local elementary-school-aged kids, however, was channeled into a literal present for the Friends of the Black Mountain Library.
The 14th Annual Art In the Afternoon Art Show and Silent Auction, which features the work of approximately 60 of the Swannanoa Valley’s youngest artists, raised more than $1,000 for the nonprofit organization that has supported the town’s library since 1963.
The exhibit, on display in the Education Room of the Black Mountain Public Library through Saturday, June 18, showcases a diverse array of artwork completed during the 2021-22 school year. The auction, which benefits a different area nonprofit every year, was held in the Carver Community Center.
Raising money for the Friends of the Library was an easy decision, according to AITA founder and director Stephanie Bly, who is also known as S.
“The library has hosted this show since the beginning, and it’s such an important part of this community,” she said. “Of course, the Friends of the Library is the community organization that supports our local branch, so we wanted to help them.”
The after-school program emphasizes art as a form of expression through various group and individual projects. The work of each student is featured in the exhibit, while many collaborative pieces were purchased in the auction.
Children in the Art In the Afternoon program show family members and friends their work in an opening reception for the after-school program’s annual art show. The exhibit will remain on display in the Education Room of the Black Mountain Library through June 18. Photo by Tasha McCormick
The collection represents a wide range of skill levels and perspectives.
“Whether they’re experienced or not, kids see art as a way to express themselves,” S said. “As they’re learning to be themselves, art helps them share feelings that they may not be able to verbalize yet.”
The pieces sold in the auction included a mosaic composed of tiles made by many of the children in the program. The final product shares a quote by British novelist and poet Road Dahl that reads: “We are the music makers and we are the dreamer of dreams.”
“The kids frequently work on collaborative projects, and the mosaic was one of my personal favorites,” S said. “The project allows each of them to see their small part as a piece of something that helps the community in a bigger way.”
A mosaic comprised of hand-made tiles, each made by students at Art In the Afternoon, was among many items purchased in the after-school program’s recent auction. The event raised money for the Friends of the Black Mountain Library. Photo courtesy of AITA
Art displayed in the library features the completed work of all AITA students this year.
“One of the assignments had the kids act as designers for their own shoe companies,” S said. “They each came up with a company name, a plan for their shoe design and they actually made a 3-D sculpture of their shoe. They also created advertisements for their shoe designs.”
Those projects are among many that can be viewed in the art show, which opened with a reception on May 30. The annual event allowed the young artists to show their art to family and friends, and share their experiences in the program with those in attendance.
“It’s great because it brings people there to see the art they’ve worked so hard on throughout the year,” S said. “This year, we also had a kid from each grade level get up and speak about their time at AITA, and that’s something I’m thinking about doing every year now. One of the highlights from that was when Adelaide Christopher, a second-grader, said she learned that there are no mistakes in art, because the mistake you think you made might end up being better than what you originally planned.”
Since its founding in 2008, AITA has focused on building character by encouraging the children who attend to explore their creativity through art and recreation. The program has raised money for around a dozen local charity organizations with its show and auction over the years.
“It’s a way to give back to the community,” S said of AITA’s fundraising efforts. “We want our kids to know the feelings they express in their art matter, and their creativity can be a tool to help others.”