ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP - It was a showcase of childhood dreams and imagination.

The first-ever Rock Hill Elementary School art show was Tuesday evening. It was a product of the school's new art program.

Art teachers Ginger Dalton, who teaches grades K-2, and

Jan Jenkins, who is substituting for

Carolyn Barnette in grades 3-5, have led their students on a variety of projects throughout the year - holiday ornaments, watercolors, fingerpaints, sketches and crayon/acrylic combinations. The artwork was on display in the corridors outside classrooms.

On Tuesday afternoon, first-grade students were finishing a collective effort to paint of copy of the famous Van Gogh painting "Starry Night" that was later put on display along with the individual works of art. Dalton said she has been teaching the students about

the artist, and first-grader Angel Carmon said she remembered a thing or two about him.

"He liked to paint," she said shyly. "And he died when he was 37."

Asked her opinion of "Starry Night," she answered "I think it's pretty."

Carmon had her own favorite project she has enjoyed this year - fingerpainting.

"It's where your hands get blue and purple and different colors," Carmon said excitedly.

She said she also liked drawing because, afterward, she got to color it.

And that enthusiasm is just what Dalton hopes the students will take away from the art class at the end of the year.

"I just want them to develop an appreciation for art,&uot; Dalton said.

Every child who participated received a ribbon.