Art Scared K-12 event inspires student creativity

By Felicity Guajardo

Co-Director of News and Culture

‘To Encourage, Foster, Promote and Nurture the Arts in the San Marcos Community”—that is the mission of the San Marcos Art League (SMAL) and part of why the Art Scared exhibit has become an annual tradition. The 5^th Annual Art Scared event will take place on Oct. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in the San Marcos Downtown Square in celebration of Halloween festivities.

Every K-12 student signed up will be able to paint a window on a local business and be entered into a contest for first, second and third place for each school level.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in-person classes were on pause as well as many daily activities for students that are essential for human connection and stimulation.

Nancy Brown, member of the board of directors for SMAL, presented Art Scared in 2020 when she joined the board as San Marcos reminded her of the town she grew up where a similar event was loved by the community.

“So, San Marcos in some ways is a lot like the town that I grew up in. And when I saw the downtown area, especially around the square, you know, where the old courthouse is, I thought, you know, we could do the same thing here. And the one in Rye, NY, it’s where I grew up, I mean it’s, it was a big deal and people who wanted to talk about it 50 years later…,” Brown said.

As the pandemic caused many students to lose a creative outlet, Art Scared was able to be a positive light in students’ lives even today.

“I mean I think there’s a lot of people in town who don’t know that even the Art Center is down there. So, it certainly spreads the word, you know that that we’re here and that You know and then and it offers a place for us to connect…,” Brown said.

“Plus, there’s home school kids, we got a phone call from San Antonio from a parent who wants to bring her kid to this, that’s how far this news has spread.”

Art Scared is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, River City Glass, the Price Center and more and also aims to help support local businesses by bringing people downtown.

The Art Squared Arts Market will also be hosting vendors for a spooky edition of the market during Art Scared.

SMAL will need volunteers on Friday at 10 a.m. to help tape windows and tape paper on the sidewalks in preparation. Volunteers are also wanted on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. to help hand out art supplies and guide parents and their students to their designated window.

If you are interested, please e-mail artcenter@artleaguesmtx.org.