MILTON — Baugher Elementary School once again resembles something more of an art academy or museum.
From 3:15 to 7:15 tonight, the school will host the annual art show, displaying masterpieces by all students at Baugher and Montandon elementary schools.
This year’s theme is “The Arts ‘CAN’ Make a World of Difference,” a play on the late Andy Warhol’s famous Campbell’s Soup Cans paintings, on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
The Pennsylvania native was a famous commercial illustrator, turned author, painter and film director.
According to sources, he believed art shouldn’t be for only a select few, but for the masses.
Reba Rohrer, art teacher at the two elementary schools, would agree.
“I strive to show a piece of art work from every student,” Rohrer said Monday while she along with parent and student volunteers helped hang up and display about 1,200 pieces.
Since 1990, when Rohrer came to the district, she’s been holding art shows for the students. Those shoes have grown each year and parents and the public are invited to check out what the talented youths have been up to.
“There’s a sense of pride when the student picks his or her’s out and says ‘That’s mine,’” Rohrer said.
Brenton Shaffer, a Milton Area High School junior who was volunteering his time at the school, said looking back it was a neat experience to have something on display for all to see.
“It felt special,” he said.
Barb Snyder, a parent volunteer, said it’s been “pretty cool” to see her children’s work hanging during the show. She said when her son Thomas, a fourth-grader, was in kindergarten, she framed his illustration of a tooth fairy. Now she gets to see her younger son Jonah do the same thing.
Snyder said a lot of parents end up framing their children’s work.
A special feature, returning this year, will be a walk through Tut’s Tomb, Rohrer said. There visitors will get to check out Egyptian sarcophagi on display in low light conditions with flashlights in hand.
Following the “can” theme, boxes will be in the lobby where visitors may donate a can of nonperishable food to the Milton Food Bank for needy families. Rohrer thought it would be a nice way to add a community service project to the mix.
After the art show, at 7:30 p.m., all three elementary schools within the Milton Area School District will perform its annual spring concert, including the chorus and band.
White Deer Elementary School is finalizing its plans for an art show, according to art teacher Kathy Magaro. She said the high school will open its doors to the public from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday. The middle school will have its masterpieces on display from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 28.

Jeff Shaffer: 570-742-9671
jeff@standard-journal.com