Parkview EEC Art Show Brings Families Together to Celebrate Young Artists
![Collage of student artwork featuring an underwater turtle mixed-media piece, colorful handprint flowers, a painted paper crab with large eyes, a hanging jellyfish craft made from a cup and ribbons, a silhouetted octopus painting, and a blue clay frog resting on a lily pad.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1776881545/fairviewparkschoolsorg/uajf27nmgpodgqfd5lmj/News_EECArtShow_042226.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1776881545/fairviewparkschoolsorg/uajf27nmgpodgqfd5lmj/News_EECArtShow_042226.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1776881545/fairviewparkschoolsorg/uajf27nmgpodgqfd5lmj/News_EECArtShow_042226.png","width":800}])
The halls of Parkview Early Education Center were filled with color and creativity on Friday, March 27, as families gathered for the school’s annual Art Show and Ice Cream Social.
Featuring artwork from approximately 180 students, the event showcased projects from every classroom, including toddlers through pre-kindergarten. Each year, the show has a different theme for artists to base their work around. This year’s theme was “Colorful Creatures - Real or Imaginary.”
While themes vary from year to year, the goal remains consistent: to give every child the opportunity to create something unique while exploring different artistic methods and materials.
“The idea is that they’re doing something a little bit above and beyond a typical classroom craft or art project in the classroom,” Liz Loescher, Assistant Coordinator at the EEC explained. “They get to experience different materials and see how creative they can be.”
Each classroom developed its own project and selected its own subject, ensuring variety throughout the building.
“This year we were setting things up, and we were just like, ‘Oh my gosh, look at this one,’” Susan Morrison, Early Education Center Coordinator, explained. “But they all did the same thing and had the same instructions, and look how differently they turned out.”
In addition to the artwork, this year’s event featured interactive elements, including a station where families could create cards for Staff Appreciation Week in May.
Students at Parkview work on their artwork using a variety of art supplies donated by the Parkview PTA.
Planning for the Art Show begins months in advance, typically in January or February. Parkview PTA played a central role by funding more than $1,000 in art supplies and coordinating logistics for the show.
“There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into the show,” Parkview PTA President Seth Campbell said. “Everything from logistics for the event, coordinating volunteers for the setup the evening before, and the day of. We are a stronger community because of the family volunteers that we have who give up their time to be able to make sure that those events can happen.”
The Art Show also serves as the PTA’s largest annual fundraiser at the school, with families invited to make a suggested donation to take home their child’s artwork. This year, the event raised about $1,300 for the school’s PTA.
“That money is really helpful because it pays for the programming we do at Parkview, along with money raised from other fundraisers,” Campbell explained.
The Art Show tradition dates back nearly two decades, originally starting as a fundraising effort tied to facility needs. Over time, it has taken on different formats, eventually becoming the community celebration it is today.
“It’s always been a positive event,” Morrison said. “Families really enjoy coming in, seeing all of the artwork - not just their own child’s - and spending time together in the building.”
“It’s a nice time for parents to meet each other,” Loescher added. “It’s classmates, friends, you know, not just the same kids that play sports together. You’re meeting families from across the school.”
“It’s a time-honored tradition, but it’s another touch point that we can all get together and check in with each other,” Campbell added. “To see what we need, what we can do to support one another. Commiserate and chat over a scoop of ice cream and spend time looking and enjoying the artwork of our children.”
Images from the 2026 Parkview EEC Art Show (L-R): Student dragon artwork on display; staff serve ice cream to students and families; families explore hallway exhibits; mixed-media dog artwork; colorful octopus sculpture; crowded cafeteria during the the ice cream social; student artwork displayed along a wall; children work together writing notes for Staff Appreciation Week in May; nature-themed mixed-media display.
The popular ice cream social once again drew large crowds, with staff members serving sundaes to students and families. Demand was so high that organizers went through more than 30 gallons of ice cream and had to restock before the night was over.
“We’ve always worried about running out, but this year we actually did,” Morrison said with a laugh.
The strong support from families and the community at the Art Show was evident by the end of the night.
“I really think this year it was really well attended,” Morrison noted. “When you took a quick glance around at the artwork still hanging, there wasn’t a lot hanging up at the end of the night.”
“It just feels like a big hug, to see all of these different family members, community members, coming out to support, celebrate, and to lift one another up,” Campbell explained. “I think that’s one of the exciting things about the art show is just seeing the outpouring of love and appreciation for what our teachers and students do.”