The local community showed support for Prairie Rose Public School's student artists Wednesday by attending the division's 13th annual Kaleidoscope of the Arts event, held at the Esplanade.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Prairie Rose Public School’s Kaleidoscope of the Arts event is returning to the Esplanade for the first time since the pandemic began. The annual two-day event showcases visual and performance arts from students across the division.
“Kaleidoscope has always been really well done,” PRPS board chair Cathy Hogg told the News. “It’s a high-level event which invites parents to come and celebrate their kids, and kids to come show their work off and be proud of it.”
Now in its 13th year, the event has two components; a public portion and a portion open only to PRPS students.
The public portion of the event kicked off Wednesday evening, when Hatters were invited to attend an art exhibit featuring works by Prairie Rose Institute of the Arts students. Attendees were invited to bid on many of the pieces in a silent auction, with all proceeds raised going toward the student artists.
Following the art exhibit and auction was a one-hour musical showcase featuring students from Seven Persons, Margaret Wooding, Bow Island Elementary, Senator Gershaw, Eagle Butte High and Parkside Jr. High schools.
The second portion of Kaleidoscope begins today and is open only to PRPS students. Students from across the division will visit the Esplanade throughout the day to take part in educational, creative workshops, such as fine arts, mixed media, music composition, chorale and more. Students will then join in a group performance on the Esplanade’s main stage.
Kaleidoscope committee co-chair Tiffany Molin believes the event is a highlight for many students involved in art.
“From an education perspective, art is really the thing which rounds our education and our children,” Molin said. “It brings an element of our humanity into education. It brings in creativity, collaboration and all of the things we want our students to have to be well rounded.
“Kaleidoscope gives our students the opportunity to display their art or to perform in a world-class facility. It’s an experience they never forget.”
Grade 11 student Raeanne Atwood is one of the many artists taking in part in Kaleidoscope. One of Atwood’s paintings was featured in the art exhibit, then went up for auction. While Atwood admitted she was a bit nervous to share her art so publicly, she’s glad to have the opportunity.
“Art is a way to express myself,” Atwood said. “When somebody likes my artwork … it means they’re connecting me and the art itself … It makes me feel pride in what I’m doing.”
