Art exhibits of all shapes and sizes were present at the show. A 9 foot tall Frankenstein standee was made by an STC student and displayed at the show. PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER

The halls of South Tama Middle School were transformed this week into an art gallery for the annual WaMaC Conference Art Show, showcasing nearly 120 pieces of student artwork from across the WaMaC West division.

Participating schools included Benton Community, Clear Creek Amana, Grinnell, Vinton-Shellsburg, Williamsburg, and host South Tama County.

The long-running event, which rotates between conference schools, allows each school to submit up to 20 works across a variety of categories, ranging from painting and drawing to digital and three-dimensional art.

High school art teacher Nate Doran, who organized this year’s show, said the tradition stretches back decades.

“I did it when I was in high school,” Doran said. “It’s been going on as long as I can remember.”

Art of all forms and mediums lined the halls of STC Middle School for the annual WaMac Art Show. The show was put together and coordinated by STC Art Teacher Nathan Doran, who was tasked with hosting this year.

While the finished exhibit may take only minutes to walk through, the preparation spans days for the host.

From coordinating artwork drop-offs, to matting, labeling, and arranging artwork into a cohesive gallery, Doran described the process as demanding and important.

“I started Friday night, came in Sunday for about eight hours, and I’ve been here every day since,” he said. “It’s stressful, because these kids put so much time and energy into their work. You want to display it the right way.”

The event also relies heavily on community support, with school staff and volunteers assisting in setup and logistics.

This year’s show was judged blind by three artists with strong ties to the local arts community: Michael D. Davis, Rachel Roen, and Missy Sharer.

Awards were given for first, second, and third place in each of the 17 categories, along with Best in Show honors for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork.

Students also participate in selecting the Terry Masters Student Choice Award, voting on their favorite piece regardless of category. The award is named after Terry Masters who served as the Art Teacher at South Tama from 1979 to 1999.

Davis, a South Tama graduate, reflected on the experience after serving as a judge.

“To go from a student at STC whose favorite class was art, and at times the only reason I went to school, to now being a judge at the WaMaC art show hosted by STC is a great honor,” Davis said. “I never thought I’d be in this position, and I’m proud to be. It’s wonderful to see all the amazing art by all the budding young artists from around Iowa. None of this would be possible as well without the continued hard work and dedication of Mr. Doran to further the arts at STC.”

While awards are part of the event, Doran emphasized that the experience itself often has the greatest impact on students.

“For a lot of kids, it’s about seeing what others can do,” he said. “It pushes them. Sometimes they realize, ‘I need to step it up,’ and they come back the next year with something completely different.”

He also pointed to the unique social environment the event creates, where students from different schools connect through shared creativity.

“You’ll see kids from all walks of life,” Doran said. “Sometimes they find people just like them. That’s something really special.”

Unlike sports or music programs that compete or perform multiple times a year, the WaMaC Art Show is a single-day event for students. “This is their Super Bowl,” Doran said.

The show concluded with student viewing sessions, interactive art activities, and an awards ceremony, wrapping up a day centered on creativity, expression, and community.

“It’s a really unique thing,” Doran said. “There’s a lot behind the scenes, but it means a lot to these kids.”

Mr. Doran would like to thank Ben Adams, Scott Bolen, Chelsea Ahrens, Kathy Wilkerson, Mike Carnahan, and his students for making hosting possible for STC.