Students’ art selected for State Capitol exhibit
RUSSELLVILLE — The art of three Russellville Elementary School students is on display at the Alabama State Capitol through April 28.
Khloe Ball, a fourth grader, and fifth graders Charlee Knight and Lindsay Rush participated in a new statewide art program for students in grades 3-5 presented by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
Annie Willis, who teaches art at Russellville Elementary, said it was exciting to see the students’ work recognized at the state level.
“Several RES students competed,” Willis said. “For our students to get to be part of this exhibit is a huge honor and a reflection of their hard work, creativity and dedication.”
Knight and Rush created a collaborative piece built around scenes and symbols tied to Alabama. Willis said the project reflected both girls’ creativity and their ability to work as a team.
One side of the drawing shows Bryant-Denny Stadium at Saban Field. The other includes camellia flowers, a yellowhammer bird, a monarch butterfly and a sunset.
“The camellia is a flower that represents our state, and it brought beautiful color to our art,” Rush said. “Not everyone knows about our state bird, and we love to color sunsets.”
Knight said she wanted the drawing to reflect things people across the state would recognize and enjoy.
“We wanted to work together on this piece because we both had very good ideas and thought if we combined them, it would create an even more beautiful piece that represents Alabama,” Knight said. “Teamwork makes the dream work, and that’s so true for us so we chose to work together for this collaborative piece.”
Ball’s entry features a RHS Golden Tigers homecoming float, a torch representing Russellville City Schools, a megaphone for cheerleading and a nod to RHS’s Marching Hundred band.
Fifth graders Lindsay Rush and Charlee Knight collaborated on a drawing to represent Alabama.
“I chose to draw this because these are some of my favorite things about Alabama and I love Russellville,” she said.
Ball said viewing the artwork on display was exciting.
“My favorite part about going to Montgomery was getting to see all the flags and rocks for all the states and seeing all the other students’ art pieces displayed,” Ball said. “I’m so excited to represent our district and have so many memories.”
During the trip, the students also visited the State House and watched lawmakers work during the final week of the legislative session.
State Rep. Jamie Kiel said he was glad the students had the chance to see the legislative process in action.
“They were also able to join me at the State House and see laws passed during the last week of the legislative session,” he said.
“I hope they came away with the realization that they are among the brightest and best in the state and that they can compete and succeed in anything they do in the future.”
