SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Students from kindergarten to Grade 6 enthusiastically showed off their many artistic talents at N.J. Macpherson school's arts soiree on June 19.

Teacher Sean Daly busts a move with student hip-hop dancers at the N.J. Macpherson arts night held June 19. - photo courtesy of Neal Finley

"The arts soiree is really cool!" said Grade 3 students Tatianna Lim and Tori Forsbloom as they proudly displayed their painted wooden artwork.

Other students were equally as eager to point out their work, such as Grade 3 student Devon Fillion, who had drawn a wizard modelled after his cousin.

The arts soiree was organized by Sean Daly, the school's art, music, and drama teacher and provided more than just artwork on display.

Hot hors d'oeuvres cooked up by parents and Chris Zouboules from Thornton's Tapas Bar circulated on platters, throughout the room. Entertainment continued through the evening with songs such as The Invisible Dragon and A Home for my Dinosaur, performed by the kindergarten classes.

Actors from the Grade 2 class dramatized the story A Wolf Who Cried Boy, which the class had worked together to adapt from a book. The adaptation had the wolf avoid meals such as "three pig salad" and "lamburgers" in favour of "Boytato" soup.

This was followed by a student hip-hop dance demonstration by some of the Grade 3 students which included a few breakout solo moves.

Much of the art on display was created by students who attended art camp as well as those who were part of the school's art club. During the four mornings of art camp, local artists Dean Robertson and Rae Braden provided instruction as well as demonstrations at their studios.

"The art camp provides a great outlet for creativity," said parent Angela Heal, who has a wall of art at home thanks to her son Luke, a Grade 2 student.

The night was rounded out with a recorder recital, the presentation of gift art pieces for the school's collection, and finished with the movie Pop is so Yesterday, created by students.

Asked about the importance of art in schools, Daly said "the arts should be integrated into student achievement to stimulate the entire brain."