The following was submitted by A-OK.

High on the list of beloved island events, the annual Student Art Show returns to the Orcas Center in May with an exciting new array of work by Orcas Island’s young artists in grades kindergarten through 12. The show will kick off with an opening reception on May 4 from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

The center’s lobby gallery will feature the work of Corey Wiscomb’s high school art students, and the corridor will be lined with works from three middle school art exploratory classes led by A-OK (Art for Orcas Kids) teaching artists. The Madrona Room will be filled with the work of elementary-age students from the public school, created in art classes also conducted by A-OK teaching artists. Salmonberry school will also have students’ art on display.

The show’s organizers attribute its great popularity to the brilliance and exuberance in the work of young artists.

“It’s a joy and an inspiration to be in the gallery when it’s filled to the rafters with works of such unfettered energy and creativity,” said Andrea Cohen of A-OK, who coordinates the kindergarten through 8th-grade portion of the show.

A-OK, under the auspices of the Orcas Island Education Foundation, raises funds and operates a program of teaching artist-led art classes for public elementary and middle school students in the absence of funding for art teachers.