It was all smiles at Tanglewood Elementary on Monday, May 9, as students participated in the school’s Fine Arts Day, also known as “Artapalooza.”

Artapalooza allows Tanglewood students to observe and participate in visual arts, performance art and music. About 40 artists shared their talents with students at this year’s event.

Event co-chair Jennifer Hart said Artapalooza is held later in the school year and is a nice reward for students after TAKS testing.

“I think it’s fun for the kids to experience art,” Hart said. “I’m an artist, so I think it’s great to get to do different things creatively.”

The event started at 8 a.m. when the Paschal High School drumline marched on the sidewalk outside Tanglewood. The morning’s events also included performances by the Paschal Mariachis and a group of Mayan performers.

Inside the school, groups of students rotated between classrooms with activities such as pillow sewing, textured animal art, printmaking, and sculpture. Music could be heard coming from classrooms featuring guitar, hand bells, and Mondo drummers. In other rooms, students exercised their newfound talents in martial arts and hip-hop dancing.

Outside in the sunshine, students tie-dyed t-shirts and hung them on a fence to dry.

In the cafeteria, students decorated cupcakes, creating sunflowers and butterflies with colorful icing.

In the auditorium, the Paschal Jazz Band members rehearsed for their afternoon performance.

In the hallways, volunteers rushed from room to room carrying supplies and escorting students to their next activities.

Hart said the event relies on parent volunteers and staff members who get involved and make sure everything runs smoothly.

This was Tanglewood’s fifth Artapalooza.

The student work created at Artapalooza will be displayed at Tanglewood’s Gallery Night Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m.