City’s First Virtual Student Art Show Sidesteps COVID-19 Challenges

CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Molly Thomas, Cultural + Community Affairs Director

For the past two decades, the Cape Canaveral Student Art Show has been a Spring time cultural staple for students throughout Brevard County. In the last few years, it has expanded exponentially and now features the artwork from as many as 16 area schools — to include a mix of public, private, magnet and charter institutions, as well as art created by students enrolled in home school programs. The original show was slated to open on April 3rd and by early March, with the increasing restrictions necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19, it became evident that a physical show would not be feasible. Just when cancellation seemed imminent, a solution appeared on the other side of the globe, in Auckland, New Zealand, with a company called Exhibbit, that specializes in creating virtual 3-D art gallery experiences. Sympathetic to our dilemma, the company was eager to collaborate and help the City of Cape Canaveral avoid one less disappointing cancellation for area students — many of which have lost the opportunity to engage in athletic programs, coming-of-age social activities and above all, their well-earned commencement ceremonies.

While many schools had to withdraw from the show due to the challenges imposed by the pandemic, the show went on with nearly 160 pieces of art. It was the first time, our student artists were able to share their art with friends and family around the world — any and every one that was previously unable to visit the show in person. Comprised of four individual galleries, visitors experienced the students’ artwork in a virtual 3-dimensional space — traversing the room as if in an actual gallery and with the ability to examine each piece in high-definition and vibrant color. The decision to go virtual also presented show organizers with a unique opportunity. With its world-wide accessibility, this year’s show has enlisted a handful of guest judges who are professional artists, working in an assortment of fields around the world. This served as encouragement for our students considering careers in the arts and reinforced the global nature of the challenges faced by communities around the world amid the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Based on the feedback from parents, teachers, students and judges, the move towards an annual virtual Student Art Show may be a lasting one, at least for the immediate future. We will look forward to once again being able to share our students’ talent with the world.