The MoorArts Holiday Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Painting, pottery, photography, graphic designs — the third floor of the Church Street Recreation Center has been host to nearly every type of artwork. Each year, following the Moorestown Lions Club Parade, MoorArts opens an exhibit to the public.
Who are the artists? Well, they come from within the township’s youngest demographic. Artists as young as kindergarten through 12th grade will have their array of work on display on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of the Holiday Arts Festival.
Georgean Wardzinski, MoorArts president, said work on the show begins as early as the start of the school year. MoorArts works with teachers within the Moorestown Township Public School District. Through a collaborative process, teachers choose pieces of art based on a variety of criteria.
Wardzinski said teachers may choose pieces that best represent the art curriculum or that exhibit talent. She said they give teachers total freedom to choose what pieces are included in the festival.
From there, teachers prepare and package the art, and students, faculty and MoorArts volunteers work to hang hundreds of pieces. Wardzinski said in years past, they’ve displayed ceramic pieces, face masks, books and paintings — just to name a few.
For students hoping to attend art school, the festival is an important step. Wardzinski said the festival is a chance for students to say they’ve had their artwork exhibited.
“I think for any artist, it’s always meaningful to have people see what you create,” Wardzinski said.
The festival is not only special for students, but for their teachers as well. Wardzinski said the event is a chance for teachers to show the community the arts curriculum taking place throughout the district.
MoorArts plays a role in that curriculum each year. The completely volunteer-run, nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting the arts in the Moorestown Township School District. If there’s something a teacher wants to do in the classroom, they can come to MoorArts to request funding. Wardzinski said MoorArts’ focus is on exposing students to the arts.
In addition to the art displays, MoorArts will also feature a variety of live performers. Wardzinski said unlike some of MoorArts’ other events, the festival will feature only student performers. She said students who attend the Upper Elementary School and older will provide the festival’s entertainment. There will also be crafts available for families and a variety of activities to get people engaged.
Wardzinski said she encourages people to come and help celebrate the local arts community. The Holiday Arts Festival is free to attend and will take place on the third floor of the Church Street Recreation Center. To learn more about MoorArts, visit https://www.moorarts.org.
