Clay owls, painted ceramic tiles and canvas paintings displayed in the middle module of Clanton Elementary School garnered attention from dozens of visitors Thursday at the school’s annual student art show.

CES art instructor Julie Harrison invited students’ families and friends to walk through the show and look at the children’s artwork.

First graders also performed songs in English and Spanish for visitors throughout the afternoon in the CES lunchroom.

Christi Mitchell said her son, Dennis Mitchell, came home and told her about the clay owl he made before the show.

Dennis, a first grader, is one of more than 700 students in Harrison’s art program.

“He likes to do art at home, but they have more resources here than we do at the house,” Christi Mitchell said. “It’s nice that he has some artistic way to express himself.”

First grader Anna Cate Burnett said she enjoyed painting and singing with her classmates.

“She’s been practicing those songs all week,” said Stephanie Burnett, Anna Cate’s mother.

“She enjoys that part.”

Stephanie said she thinks the art program benefits students because it adds variety to the regular school day.

“I know they love being involved in something other than schoolwork,” she said. “I think it allows them to take a break.”

As he walked by paintings featuring trucks, cats and flowers, Joseph Moore commented on the originality of each painting.

“It’s neat to see how each child interprets the pictures,” Moore said.

Moore attended the show to see his daughter Kaylee Grace’s artwork.

Hannah Vines, a volunteer at CES, helped Harrison prepare for the show and said her cousin, Tyler Staggs, was among the students who sang on Thursday.

Vines said she also assists Harrison and her students in the art program throughout the year.

“I just love helping the kids,” Vines said.

Harrison said students in 41 homerooms had artwork in this year’s exhibit, which opened April 28 and will remain open to visitors through May 8.

“I’m happy with the turnout,” Harrison said on Thursday. “I’m excited that our children have an opportunity to participate in this, and I hope we have the opportunity to do it again in the future.”

On May 5, kindergarteners will sing and hold Spanish performances at 1:20 p.m., 1:55 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the lunchroom.