Empowering Young Artists Through the Artistically Talented After-School Program
Washington Township Schools believe the arts are a crucial part of a well-rounded education. Art gives students important opportunities for self-expression, and allows them to see the world from different perspectives. In recognition of National Arts in Education Week, we are proud to highlight one of the District’s longest-running arts programs: Artistically Talented.
Celebrating its 45th year, Artistically Talented is an after-school visual arts program open to Washington Township Schools students from 4th through 12th grade. This program allows students with an aptitude for or special interest in art to explore, create and develop their skills outside the classroom.
“In the after-school program, we can do more advanced processes than we can in a class of 24, 30 kids,” said Beth Shelby, Visual Art Teacher at Nora Elementary and Art Enrichment Coordinator for Washington Township Schools. “The students in this program are very motivated to learn.”
Each year, Artistically Talented follows a new theme that will guide projects, speakers and field trips. Last year’s theme was Art in the Wild, and explored art in unlikely places. Students designed billboards, made their own geodes and spent time drawing en plein air at Garfield Park.
“My favorite thing we did last year was the dragon eye,” said Anaya Owens, a fifth grader at Nora Elementary. “We sketched out an eye and colored it, and it made this cool effect that looked real.”
“I loved making the food truck last year,” said Ellie Hakim, a fifth grader at Nora Elementary. “We got to pick a name for our truck, decorate it the way we like, and make our own menu. That was really fun.”
This year’s theme is Storytelling, and will explore all the ways visual art can tell a story. Students will discover how narrative artists, both past and present, use art for personal expression, and have the opportunity to experiment and create with a wide variety of media.
Each year, Artistically Talented culminates in a District-wide art show featuring work from every student in the program. This year’s showcase will be held at Northview Middle School on March 6, 2025.
“What’s so special about the showcase is you see work from kids who’ve been in the program for years, from elementary to middle to high school,” said Ms. Shelby. “You see the progression of artistic expression, and how their talent grows as they get older.”
“It felt really good to see my artwork on display for everyone to see,” said Elliott Wilken, a fifth grader at Nora Elementary. “It made my day.”
The Artistically Talented program has developed in recent years thanks in no small part to the dedication and support of two Washington Township families: the Lawrances and Guggenheims.
The Joe and Will Lawrance Legacy Art Fund and Guggenheim Fund for the Visual Arts were established through the Foundation to support visual arts in Washington Township. Both families felt a District-wide Artistically Talented coordinator would help elevate the program, and serve as an important step in advancing the visual arts in our schools. In 2023, the two families coordinated seed money, and the role of Art Enrichment Coordinator was born.
“The Lawrances and Guggenheims have been instrumental in keeping the arts moving forward in Washington Township,” said Ms. Shelby. “They are incredible advocates who love visual art and recognize the power it can have.”
As Artistically Talented continues to evolve, the focus of the program remains the same: give students the opportunity to explore, create and grow through art.
“Art is important to me because it’s a form of expression,” said Alana Darden, a fifth grader at Nora Elementary. “It helps me think through things, and it’s really calming.”
“Kids don’t always have the words to explain how they’re feeling,” said Ms. Shelby. “But by offering them the opportunity to explore with paint, explore with clay, you give them space to work out their emotions. You give them an expressive outlet. And I think that’s so important.”
The Foundation is proud to play a part in supporting arts education throughout the District. For more information on how you can get involved, click here.
Photo Gallery: 2024 Artistically Talented Showcase
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