Manatee County School District 'Night on the 5th' spotlights student artwork

BRADENTON -- Kellie Fallon said she was inspired by the contrast created through the warm colors in the face of a tiger against the vibrant greens and blues found in the forest for her artwork.

Using colored pencils, the 16-year-old junior at Lakewood Ranch High School created one of the most sought-after pieces Wednesday night at the Manatee County School District's first "Night on the 5th" art showing and silent auction.

The piece -- one of many dotting the hallways on the fifth floor of the school district building -- came about simply.

"I like to draw animals," Fallon said.

The attention to detail and eye-popping color attracted many silent-auction bidders.

The new initiative is an effort to showcase student artwork in the administrative offices, Superintendent Diana Greene said.

"They are obviously very talented. Their art teachers truly tried to pick

the best pieces," Greene said. "We really want to give honor to these students."

The featured pieces have been on display the last two months from students at Lakewood Ranch High School and Harllee Middle School. The art will be taken down Dec. 1 and new student artwork will go up.

The showcase sponsored by the Manatee Education Foundation featured light food and apple cider. Not all the student artwork was available to buy as some students need pieces for their portfolios. Proceeds from sales will be split between the school art program and a scholarship fund for students.

Originally, Tiffany Rojas' color pencil and white charcoal polar bear piece was not for sale. The 17-year-old junior, however, was quickly talked into selling it for $70.

Rojas said she likes the freedom art offers.

"I like how it relaxes you and you can create whatever you want," she said.

Freedom to allow students to create their own pieces is part of what brings the artwork to the next level, Lakewood Ranch High School art teachers Terry Thompson and Abby Kolesa said.

"It really allows them to think deeply about things and explore who they are and try to figure out who they are in the context of their world and give a visual expression for that," Thompson said.

Kolesa said teachers give rubrics and some loose guidelines.

"We give them open-ended themes," Kolesa said. "We give them a lot of open rein."

Ivy MacLeod, an 18-year-old senior at Lakewood Ranch, created a watercolor self-portrait, albeit with much more colorful hair.

"I just do it. I don't really think," she said.

MacLeod said she wants to pursue some type of artwork for a career but isn't entirely sure yet.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 12:41 AM with the headline "Manatee County School District 'Night on the 5th' spotlights student artwork ."