After years of rebuilding, the Unit 5 art show is back–and this time, it’s bigger than ever.
Held on April 14 at Heartland Community College, the u5 Arts Alive show has transformed into a full district-wide celebration of creativity, featuring artwork from kindergarten through senior year.
What was once a smaller, more localized event has now grown into the largest art show in Unit 5 history.
But this didn’t happen overnight.
According to Normal West art teacher Mrs. Julie Hinman, who has been teaching at Normal West for 30 years, the show has gone through multiple phases.
“When we first started, it was held at Eastland Mall, and it was K-12,” she said. “Then after COVID, we had to cancel it completely,” she noted.
Rebuilding the program took time, those involved set a multi-year goal to bring the show back piece by piece, starting with secondary schools and eventually reintroducing elementary students.
Now, that vision has fully come to life.
“This year, because it was so big, we asked Heartland if they could host it,” Hinman said. “They’re giving us the entire community center.”
The result is more than just an art show, it’s an experience.
From 2D drawings and paintings to 3D sculptures, photography, digital art, and even animation, the show highlighted the wide range of creative opportunities available to students.
It also introduced student vendors, live activities, and even a career-focused component, with colleges and local artists available to answer questions.
“Visual arts is one of the fastest growing career sectors,” Hinman said. “We want students to not just create art, but understand how it can become a future.”
For many students, though, the show is about more than career pathways, it’s also personal.
Senior Mya Newnum, whose work is featured in the show, explores both emotional and imaginative themes through her art.
“I created oil paintings of an Oni and a Gargoyle,” Newnum said. “They’re inspired by darker mythology and that eerie, symbolic vibe I like working with.”
At the same time, she also created portraits based on her grandmother, focusing on expression and emotional depth.
“Those pieces are a lot more personal,” she said. “I like having that duality in my work.”
Senior James Sterehl took a completely different approach, creating a 3D sculpture inspired by pop culture.
“My piece is a geometric cube referencing the Companion Cube from the game Portal 2,” he said. “It lights up from the inside and shines a heart on all six sides.”
Using materials like cardboard chipboard, and LED lights, Sterehl emphasized both creativity and resourcefulness.
“I like using materials people might see as waste,” he said. “It adds another layer to the work,” he noted.
Despite their different styles, both artists share a similar goal: connection.
“I hope people can find some joy in it,” Sterehl said. “Even something simple.”
That sense of connection extends beyond the artists themselves. For many attendees, the show represents something bigger. A community coming together to support student creativity.
“I’m always in awe of the community support,” said fellow Normal West art teacher Mr. Ali Akyuz. “Thank you to everyone who came out.”
Others were struck by the range of talent on display.
“The talent of our students is amazing,” unit 5 Superintendent Kristen Weikle said. “Even at the elementary level, it’s incredible.”
“I think it’s really inspiring to see all the artwork and all the different talent through so many different mediums,” senior Addison McConkey said. “It’s really cool to see all the support from the community for our local young artis who are up and coming.”
This year’s show also introduces interactive elements, including a collaborative mural project called “Every Piece Matters,” where participants contribute their own interpretation of what “Arts Alive” means.
From raffles and awards to hands-on activities, the event creates an environment that feels less like a formal exhibition and more like a celebration.
And in many ways, that’s exactly what it is.
After years of setbacks and gradual rebuilding, Arts Alive represents not just the return of a tradition, but the evolution of it…into something more inclusive, more ambitious and more impactful than ever before.
“My mind from being here is just seeing the growth over the years,” said Normal West Principal Dr. Angie Codron. “Watching it go from one location to now having a space where everybody has their actual art here– it’s incredible.”
As senior artists prepare to graduate, the show also serves as a reminder of what they’re leaving behind–and what they’ve helped build.
“It’s really exciting, but also kind of surreal,” Newnum said. “Seeing something so personal out in public, it just makes me want to keep creating.”
