Ten Idyllwild Middle School students displayed their work at a nicely mounted art show on the stage of the Idyllwild School gymnasium. In a gallery like environment, Audrey Carver, 13, 8th grader, Rosemary Collins, 14, 8th grader, Ben Cruz, 13, 8th grader, Grace Davis, 11, 6th grader, Lyric Hemmer, 14, 8th grade, Adrian Hernandez, 12, 7th grader, Yasmin Morales, 13, 8th grader, Sable Summerfield, 13, 8th grader, Emilio Wettlaufer, 13, 7th grader and Addison Wilson, 13, 8th grader, displayed exceptional art in a variety of media.

Idyllwild Middle School artists, from left, Yasmin Morales, Audrey Carver, Sable Summerfield, Addison Wilson, and Ben Cruz at their Thursday, Jan. 10, art show opening at Idyllwild School. Photo by Marshall Smith

Idyllwild School artist Ben Cruz in front of one of his pieces. Photo by Marshall Smith
Faculty advisor Lenore Sazer proudly noted that of her graduating eighth grade featured artists, five are applying to Idyllwild Arts.

Although the oldest is only 14, many of these young artists have been studying for many years, and the quality of their work and the breadth of the disciplines within which they worked are remarkable.

Sixth-grade artist Grace Davis, with her Nietzsche shoe. Photo by Marshall Smith
The onstage show took place on a snowy Thursday, Jan. 10. Principal Matt Kraemer joked that Sazer seems to always hold her shows on snow days, either that or she brings the snow. For those who attended, they could not fail to be impressed at how lucky Idyllwild is to have support for the arts through the smARTS program, from which many of these students have benefitted.