An art exhibition featuring works by Pleasantville K-12 students is closing soon at the Mount Pleasant Public Library. The exhibition runs through Oct. 14. 

The exhibition contains numerous pieces of student artwork from a range of different styles and techniques, including drawing, ceramics, painting and digital photography. This is the third annual student art gallery created from the artwork by students in the Pleasantville Union Free School District. The exhibition includes students ranging from kindergarten to twelfth grade. 

The elementary and middle schools offer general art classes, while high school students may enroll in almost two dozen different classes.

James Maron, Pleasantville High School art teacher as well as the District Art Chair, said judges select approximately 150 pieces from each school. He also said that, although the pieces were originally completed for a variety of class assignments, the exhibition was focused around a theme. “We try to find an underlying theme like portraits, or nature when we set up the show,” Maron said.

Greg Nemec, also an art teacher at Pleasantville High School, said the student works were showcased in other smaller art shows, which were then evaluated by other art teachers and art professionals within the district. These judges then selected which pieces would be exhibited at the K-12 show. Nemec says the judges sought “work that stands out for any number of reasons.”

All of the artwork in the exhibition was created during the previous academic year. Newer courses at the high school include digital drawing, fashion and character design, and Nemec anticipates more work from students enrolled in these classes to appear in next year’s show. 

“The point of the show is to feature art from students of all ages,” said Nemec. “Older students can look back and see how far they’ve come, and younger students can look forward to being as accomplished as the high schoolers.”