Last week Upland Heights hosted their third annual art show to proudly display their students’ artwork.

The gym was transformed into an art gallery with hundreds of framed paintings and drawings created by students from kindergarten to fifth grade. The art show doubled as a fundraiser, and parents had the opportunity to browse the artwork and purchase their child’s framed pieces.

Upland Heights art teacher Cristy Jeter says the fundraiser helps pay for the cost of frames and replenish the art supplies for the classrooms. “With more than 650 artists entering my classroom weekly, we go through a lot of supplies,” she said.

Jeter says the art projects took students several weeks to complete. The third graders’ ‘Starry Night Pumpkins’ were one of the lengthier projects and took the students five weeks to complete using different mediums such as forks.

Forks weren’t the only unique tools used in creating the paintings. Fifth graders were able to create stars on their galaxy silhouettes using a toothbrush and acrylic paint.

Overall, Jeter says she is proud of her artists and hopes the art show tradition can continue to inspire young artists to show off their masterpieces.

“This gives each artist a chance to see their artwork in a more professional manner. A lot of people never get to see their artwork displayed beyond their refrigerator doors at home,” she said. “The most rewarding thing is seeing their faces light up when they spot their work in the show!”