Early Expressions Art Show
Early Expressions is a celebration of art within our school district. In collaboration with the district’s art teachers and the Beach Museum of Art, the Manhattan-Ogden Public Schools Foundation sponsors an annual district-wide art contest for elementary and secondary students.
Over a hundred works of art by Manhattan students will be on display February 7-12 at the Flint Hills Discovery Center, in the 14th annual Early Expressions celebration of art in Manhattan. The Manhattan-Ogden Public Schools Foundation is pleased to sponsored this districtwide art contest for elementary and secondary school students in collaboration with the district’s art teachers, the Beach Museum of Art, SNW Gallery, and the Manhattan Morning Optimist Club.
The 14th Annual Early Expressions Celebration of Art was held Feb. 7-12, 2023 at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. Although this event is traditionally held at the Beach Museum, in 2023 it was hosted at the Discovery Center due to a water main break at the Beach Museum. We are very grateful to the Discovery Center for helping us keep the program alive for the students who were selected to participate.
More than 2,330 pieces of original artwork were submitted by students in USD 383 from ten elementary schools, both middle schools, and Manhattan High School. The artwork was juried, and the winning 115 pieces of artwork were showcased around the Discovery Center.
Winners for Early Expressions 2023 were: Ellie Bolgar, Amanda Arnold Elementary, K-2nd division; Aurie Liang, Amanda Arnold Elementary, 3rd– 5th division; Camille Trass, Eisenhower Middle School, middle school division; Reagan Pickett, Anthony Middle School, 3D division; and Josh DeLaCruz, Manhattan High School, high school division and Best of Show. Division winners receive $100, and Best in Show will receive a $250 award.
Funds raised through the Early Expressions event are used to enhance the art experiences for students in the district; in the past, the funds have been used for new art equipment, art programming, and funding trips to art galleries in Kansas City for secondary school students.
Early Expressions 2023 Sponsors
Manhattan-Ogden Public Schools Foundation, Beach Museum of Art, Flint Hills Discovery Center, Strecker Nelson West Gallery, Mary Cottom, The Trust Company, Mary Vanier, Arthur-Green LLP, Mimi Balderson, Ray and Maxine Coffey, Community First National Bank, Joleen Hill, Johanna Lyle, Manhattan Optimist Club, Toby Marks, John & Karen McCulloh, Jim Morrison, David & Kathy Pauls, Bob & Carolyn Pulford, Bill & Erma Riley, Varney & Associates, CPAs LLC
For more information about Manhattan-Ogden Public Schools Foundation’s Early Expressions program, contact Korey Klingenberg, korey@trinium-inc.com or 785-410-3391.