Barnesville Elementary Art Showcased at The Watt Center

by Lisa Gallagher, Barnesville Area News

The Watt Center for History & the Arts hosted the annual Barnesville Elementary School Art Show on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM for family, friends, and community members to enjoy the creative masterpieces of kindergarteners through fourth graders. When current elementary art teacher Jayson Stephen joined the staff in 2008, the elementary art show was already a well-established tradition. Stephen stated that the elementary students take a walking field trip to the art show the week before it is opened to the public. Stephen added, “The show is a great opportunity for students to view each other’s artwork and to recognize each other’s creativity.”

Beverly Hannahs, a Watt Center member and volunteer, explained that the idea for the art show began as a way to encourage art and creativity at an earlier age. Hannahs said, “Barnesville Schools has always had a strong K-12 art program.” Each year, approximately 100 community and family members attend the show. Stephen shared that partnering with The Watt Center is wonderful. After Stephen gathers, organizes, and labels the art pieces, Watt Center volunteers set up, run, and take down the show.

The Watt Center displays featuring local industrial, retail, and agricultural history were available to the art show visitors. Stephen explained that “students have heard about The Watt Center, but do not know what it is or where it is located.” He continued that the added bonus is that the students get to learn about our local history.