Above Photo: Kaylie Waldrop is a fifth-grade student at FishHawk Creek Elementary. Her artwork, known as Animal Rescue, was exhibited at this year’s Celebrate the Season of Art at the school and then at the Tampa Museum.
This year’s Annual Celebrate the Season Art Exhibit at FishHawk Creek Elementary School was enjoyed by hundreds. The event, held annually in January, is an opportunity for students in fourth and fifth grade to experience how it feels to be a part of a gallery show.
The students take art classes from Patricia Bunk, M.Ed. Bunk has a Masters Degree in Integrated Art Education. Bunk is a professional artist whose paintings have been seen by thousands. She is also an author. Bunk has been teaching for many years at FishHawk Creek Elementary. Bunk said of this year’s exhibit, “Students took on the challenge of the human form.” Bunk added, “My students aimed for the higher ground. They reached for the soul- searching essence of what makes a difference in our lives.”
This year, several students’ artwork has been shown in various venues around the area including the Tampa Museum of Art, the fine art festival at the Straz Center, the Florida State Fair and the Hillsborough County Fair. This included Kaylie Waldrop, a fifth-grade student who lives in FishHawk. Waldrop’s piece known as Animal Rescue, was shown at the Tampa Museum of Art.
Waldrop said, “I am so super excited to have had my art chosen to be displayed in the museum. I made this piece when I lost my cat and it means a lot to me. The day I finished it, he came home.”
Celebrate the Season Art Exhibit was established by Bunk 12 years ago. Many of her students are transitioning to middle school and beyond. Bunk said, “A rich curriculum and foundation has been built enabling students to grow on multiple levels and to soar ahead. This provided students with opportunities to exhibit and compete in the artistic venues with a serious respect for craftsmanship.” Bunk added, “Highly creative individuals have emerged out of my classroom who will carry that passion for creativity throughout their life.”
FishHawk Creek Elementary is located at 16815 Dorman Rd. in Lithia.
