Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Friday, June 03, 2011

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Scenes from the June 2 "Picnic with the Arts" at Liberty Elementary ...

Liberty Elementary celebrated the eve of summer break with a two-hour potpourri of music, dance and art.

“‘Picnic with the Arts’ is a family night.  No video games, no couch potatoes – just everyone up, active and moving,” said music teacher Mary Jane Elliott, who helped organize the second annual PTA-sponsored event.

A cloud cover broke the late-afternoon heat as one after another, groups of students stepped up to perform. Splashes of color dotted the fresh-cut lawn where families spread blankets and settled into stadium seats to drink it all in.

The lineup ranged from a flash-mob rendition of the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” and Spanish-immersion kids dancing “La Cumbia” to the familiar sing-along “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and a ribbon/scarf dance to “It’s Gotta Be Me.”

The evening didn’t lack for audience participation either: Dads danced the “Tooty Ta” with their kindergarteners, and the DJ transitions pulled dozens of folks to their feet.

Inside the cafeteria, children eagerly showed visitors their artwork, pottery and sculptures arranged in the temporary gallery, and awards went to those with the most creatively decorated “Picnic with the Arts” T-shirts.

“The arts stimulate parts of the brain which are not used in studying other areas of the curriculum,” said Elliott, who advocates hands-on instruction and firmly believes the arts enhance academic achievement.

“Through the arts, children discover their culture and their history,” she added, citing such examples as Native American art and African-American spirituals.

Two years ago, Elliott and her fellow arts teachers brainstormed for a fun way to showcase Liberty’s talented children. They decided to borrow the “Picnic with the Pops” concept from the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, and Liberty’s “Picnic with the Arts” was born.

“We have an amazing arts team at Liberty, where team collaboration is an everyday thing,” Elliott said, referring to colleagues Carolann Botkins with drama, Jeanne Brownlee with art and Susan Roberts with dance and P.E. 

For instance, they work together in a one-month dance unit every year. In lieu of regular music, art, drama and gym classes, the kids study various dances and how the elements of dance core content are used. And the bonus? Some much-needed social interaction and brow-wiping physical activity.

Afterward, the teachers choose one dance routine for each grade level to present at the “Picnic with the Arts.”

“Liberty has a fantastic Arts & Humanities curriculum and wonderful teachers. The PTA is proud to help these teachers and our kids celebrate a year of creativity,” said chapter treasurer Rachel Kendall. “This is a lively event – perfect for families to come together and wrap up the school year.”