Lincolnwood School generates excitement for arts at Family Night

Lincolnwood School was transformed into the Wonderful World of Oz at Family Night last Friday, January 24.  Entitled “Follow Your Yellow Brick Road,” the parent-run PTA-sponsored event included a talent show, an all-school art exhibition, art activity studio, and café, featuring complimentary snacks and treats.  The event was open to all Lincolnwood families completely free of charge.

Lincolnwood parents Ann Wilkinson and Melissa Raman Molitor of Evanston developed and produced the massive undertaking, with work starting more than a year ago.

When plans began last year for the annual talent show, Wilkinson, who has a performing arts background, realized she didn’t want to just have the kids put on another talent show.  Rather, she wanted them to understand and appreciate the components of a complete production from start to finish, as well as help them experience the camaraderie that comes with being part of an ensemble show.

“I wanted to take the talent show concept further,” said Wilkinson.  “I find it limiting to have the kids show up and put on a talent show when, to me, that's not true "performing arts."  That's open mic night.  (A true production) has people working on stage and behind, and it has performers.  All of the parts are equal and all of those areas require practice.”

Nearly 70 children participated in the talent show, which was broken down by grade level into three separate shows during the evening. Children from all grades demonstrated their talents in singing, dancing, unicycling, magic, poetry and instrumental performance.

The event gave non-performing children the opportunity to catch the “theater bug” as well, by allowing them to work behind the scenes as designers, technical crew, ushers, and in the concession café, in the whatever capacity interested them.

Molitor, a Lincolnwood parent with a visual arts background, began working on the event last summer.  She enlisted the help of Lincolnwood art teacher Monica Vick, to create the Emerald City art gallery, featuring beautifully displayed artwork from all 410 Lincolnwood students.

“It was my hope that with this event we could highlight all of the arts; offer the students an opportunity to find their ‘voice’ through visual arts, music, dance, or performance,” said Molitor. “We wanted to highlight the many strengths and talents that exist in our community's young people. It was our hope to create some of the wonder and magic that only the arts can offer.”

Art teacher Monica Vick agreed.

 “I thought family night was an amazing evening where our superstars really got the chance to shine,” said Vick. “It is wonderful to work at a school that really values and supports the arts and to have such creative and talented students.”

The exhibition featured examples made in art class from cardboard printing technique in kindergarten to folk art birds in second grade and Sunset Silhouettes in fifth grade.  Fifth grader Linda Li won an art contest in December in which her winning entry was voted on and chosen by students for the flyers and programs.

Lincolnwood’s halls were filled with hundreds of families who braved the cold to come out and celebrate the artistic talents of Lincolnwood’s Superstar students.  More than 50 families participated in volunteer efforts, including decorations, publicity, photography, baking, prepping the artwork for display and working backstage.

The Over the Rainbow café was also quite a hit. All food was donated by parents, packaged creatively into Wizard of Oz-themed treats, and offered to parents and children free of charge.

The Lincolnwood School Parent Teacher Association provided funding for the event.