Students' Art Goes on Display in Westlake Before Heading to Ireland

Artworks from students at schools all over Westlake will be on their way to Ireland soon.

As part of the city’s bicentennial celebrations, Westlake will be sending about 60 pieces of art from students of all ages to its sister city of Tralee, Ireland. The works will join others from students in Tralee and be exhibited at the Féile na mBláth, a three-day garden festival, in June. After that, the artworks will return to Westlake, along with pieces created by Tralee students.

All seven Westlake public schools are sending at least one pieces of art. Participating private schools include , , , and .

St. Paul Lutheran School art teacher Karen Dee said her school is sending a work of art from their fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grade classes.

“I jumped on the chance to participate because it’s a great opportunity for the kids,” she said.

art teacher Carrie Beatty said she led up to the project by teaching her students a little about Westlake’s settlers from Ireland, and about Tralee. She told students they could submit a finished piece, or create a new one to send overseas. One girl created a picture of an average Westlake home so that students in Tralee can see how Americans live.

“I think this is a good chance for students to appreciate how cross-cultural art is,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what language you speak. I’m hoping they walk away with a better appreciation of how art speaks to everyone.”

The artworks will be on display at Tuesday through April 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and April 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.