High school students show creativity at Pitt State Art Day - KOAM TV 7

More than 300 students from across the Four States traveled to Pittsburg State University for its third annual Art Day.

Students created various projects for the event.  Olexandra Polanco and other students from Carthage High School entered the Samurai Robot Competition, just one of many competitions offered for the day.

"I've never been to one but it's actually pretty fun," says Polanco.  "You just have to be with the right people."

The event also has a Robot Pet category and Self Portrait contest.

According to PSU's Art Department, the event allows high schools to get acquainted with the university and think out side of the box.

"One thing I have found over the past three years is that there is no limit to the creativity we find," says Rhona Shand, the Chairperson for the PSU Art Department.  "Last year we gave them toothpicks and they made castles out of them, so it's fantastic to watch."

From sketching what they see in a mirror to creating a pet, creativity is something these kids have in spades and it's something their teachers say is worth taking a day off of school to cultivate.

"I feel like it's really valuable," says Jessica Sellers of Carl Junction High School.  "I feel like they are gaining more in some ways being here, all the verve and voice they see in different schools and then competing in the contest,Ii just think it gives them something to do something creative and different."

PSU says whether or not these 300 kids choose to pursue a career in art or not, they are learning how to be imaginative and resourceful, both skills easily applied into all aspects of their lives.

Students also heard lectures from internationally known artists and participated in a fashion show to show off their creations.