As their school’s final year draws to a close, the students and staff at Red Rock Elementary School are gearing up for their last great arts event, the Red Rock Art Extravaganza on Monday, May 10.

The halls and classroom walls of Red Rock Elementary will be transformed into a giant art gallery that day. Students will move throughout the school in a “parade of classrooms” to view each other’s artwork from 9 to 10 a.m.

Then, from 5 to 7 p.m., the art show will be open to the public. The community is invited to attend the event, which will also include musical, theater, and dance performances, said Red Rock Elementary teacher Linda Warren.

“Parents will see that art is being used through the whole curriculum, including math, science, social studies, and reading,” Warren said.

For Red Rock Elementary’s art coach, Bruce Hucko, now finishing his second full year in that position, the arts event represents a chance for students, staff, and community members to “give a proper good-bye to the building.”

Starting this coming fall, grades K-3 will move across town to the new Helen M. Knight Elementary School, a K-6 facility being built adjacent to the existing HMK Intermediate School.

Hucko’s involvement as art coach for grades K-3 will continue next year, thanks to the Utah Legislature’s recent decision to continue funding the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Elementary Arts Learning Program in select schools throughout Utah.

Hucko thanked the many students and teachers who have actively participated in the program, and expressed appreciation to parents and other supporters for writing letters and e-mails to help ensure that its funding will continue.

Also during Monday evening’s event, a collection of RRE student artwork specifically selected and purchased for the new school building will be unveiled.