Third-graders Mazie Deming and Alison Jin were excited to find their painted tiles now part of a permanent biome installation in Lone Peak Elementary’s library. 

“We painted on these tiles to make ours match the photograph,” Alison said. “It was hard to do the details.”

Mazie enjoyed recreating the photo of Arches National Park, but especially liked the glazed cupcake art. 

“We can explore and try new thing in art,” she said. “I like the art show and come to it every year.”

The exhibit was part of Lone Peak’s ninth annual art show, led by Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program Specialist Cassie Walker. 

“This art show builds community in our neighborhood, and I feel we need that so much,” she said.

This year’s theme, “Imaginarium,” focused on creativity and storytelling. Nearly 1,000 visitors toured displays, including a student “bakery,” a glowing forest, and a giant map by second-graders. Biome exhibits by upper grades included Arches National Park, the Pando aspen forest, and the Wasatch fault line.

“Each was tied to a science standard,” Walker explained, noting a $400 Beverley Taylor Sorenson Foundation grant helped fund materials. Her father-in-law built custom frames for the student-created pieces.

Principal Shad DeMill praised the cross-curricular effort.

“It is collaborative effort to reinforce what is taught in the class,” he said.

Upper-grade students gained skills in filmmaking, animation and theater. Fifth graders also designed and created capstone projects and designed their own theater posters.

“They’ve done different projects every year with me since the kindergarten so they have learned the building blocks to plan a project and have the skills to create it,” Walker said, adding students usually complete between nine to 12 projects during their 45-minute weekly sessions.

Former Lone Peak students contributed as well: Sadie Walker, now a junior at Corner Canyon High, designed the event flier, and her classmate Brooklyn Nye, owner of Brooke Mae’s Bakery, sold cupcakes near a display of ceramic ones. 

“It was a fun addition to include students on our school’s art committee, and I’d like to expand it next year,” Cassie Walker said, adding she was grateful for Corner Canyon’s National Honors Society help with the event.

Visitor Greg Phillips attended the show with his nephews Max, Gus and Leo and niece, Lucy.

“I love how students are able to use the creative side of their brain; it builds confidence and skills,” he said. “Without art, life is more boring. Art is the cherry on the cake.” λ