Cobb Reporter

The Osborne High School recently hosted the annual Cobb Art Rocks Fest, a district-wide event that transformed school halls into vibrant displays of student artwork. The festival is a testament to the talent and creativity of students across Cobb, showcasing their artistic expression in various forms.

This year's event featured the first Cobb Visual Arts Throwdown, a competitive and collaborative challenge where middle and high school students from Durham, Floyd, Palmer, and Simpson middle schools, as well as Hillgrove, Kell, Lassiter, and North Cobb high schools, created original artworks within a two-hour timeframe using a shared set of materials. Floyd Middle School and Kell High School emerged as the winners, receiving custom aprons as prizes, while all participating schools were awarded art supplies.

The festival also supported the Patrick Key Memorial Art Fund through the sale of exhibited artworks. This fund honors Patrick Key, a former Cobb art teacher who passed away in 2020, by providing grants to visual arts teachers in the district.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Patrick Key Kindness Award to Michelle Yoo of Keheley Elementary School. The award recognizes educators who embody the kindness of Patrick Key. The presentation was attended by Patrick Key’s wife, Priscella.

Festival-goers engaged in various interactive art activities, such as designing buttons and creating artist trading cards. The event emphasized art as a shared and evolving experience, involving participants of all ages.

The Cobb Art Rocks Fest celebrated the efforts of student artists and the educators who nurture their creativity. The event also served as a reminder of the flourishing talent in Cobb Schools, with many artworks now displayed in local homes.

Those interested in Cobb's Visual Arts Department or supporting the Cobb Schools Foundation can contact Laura LaQuaglia or visit the foundation's website.