Members of the school’s National Art Honor Society invited families from Frisco High and their feeder schools to enjoy hands-on art activities at a community art workshop.

"It's a fantastic way to share the love of art while highlighting the creativity of our students and others in the community," art teacher and NAHS sponsor Suzanne Blair said.

Big Art Day is an annual celebration of art education and creativity, organized by the Texas Art Education Association during Youth Art Month. Many Frisco ISD schools participate in Big Art Day, with events connecting students and families to the exceptional visual art programs offered across FISD.

Art stations were set up around the Frisco High cafeteria, with paints, colored pencils, crayons, pencils and other art supplies, as well as toys to be used for still life. NAHS students spread out to work on their own pieces and help out as needed.

A Sparks Elementary School family heard about the event and came with their two kids, who made a beeline for the crayons and paints. Even mom joined in, pulling toys from another table to serve as models for her still-life artwork.

Frisco High School celebrates Big Art Day every year, but this is the first community event they’ve hosted. Special events like this give students the chance to develop leadership and organizational skills, and share the impact of an art education.

“I think it's important for people to see that visual art is more than crafting,” Blair said. “It’s more involved and touches a lot more of the students’ and community’s lives. Students make connections, develop techniques and learn life skills.”

NAHS president Charlotte, a senior at Frisco High who plans to study art history at college, worked on her own piece as she talked about the club and Big Art Day. She said it’s important for art students to organize these kinds of events.

“Big Art Day is a big deal within the National Art Honor Society, and it was really a great opportunity to help the community but also work on our art skills,” she said. “We came up with open art stations with access to materials that some kids might not have in their own school.”

Blair was impressed with NAHS students’ dedication and drive to put on the event. Involvement in the honor group and in visual art has helped these students flourish.

“I’ve seen art bring students out of their shells, give them their niche,” she said. “Art touches their hearts, helps them find their passion, shows them skills they didn’t know they had, or develops skills they need to work on.”

Meanwhile, Charlotte hopes the event continues for years to come, even after she’s graduated. Connecting with people outside NAHS builds community appreciation for art.

“Art is pretty much a universal language, and understanding that is how we communicate with people,” she said.