By KAREN MADORIN
Hays Arts Council and Fort Hays Art Department organize and celebrate Art Walks and Galas every year. Attendees expect to view quality art, enjoy live music, and nibble hors d’ oeuvres. Once a year in tiny Grainfield, soon-to-be retired art instructor Ronna Schulz and her students offer Wheatland School District families, patrons, and guests a similar extravaganza.
Ronna’s sister invited me to Ronna’s final Art Preview this year. Over decades, my friend Cindy shared intriguing details, notably that her sister’s students receive multiple regional and national awards every year. Despite knowing the competitive drive Ronna passes on to her students, I had no idea the treat I’d experience.
Keep in mind Wheatland is a 1 A District, constituting several communities and miles of surrounding countryside. Avoid blinking as you drive past so you see the brick secondary facility on Grainfield’s south side of I-70. Its classrooms, athletic fields, and courts serve rural kids. Art teacher Ronna’s credentials include ranch wife, mother of four, now grandmother, one time scout leader, K -12 art teacher, and more. Her lengthy resumé equals or exceeds that of other vibrant souls who make this tiny community thrive.
Growing up as a small-town teacher’s kid, Ronna’s family encouraged participation, education, and creativity on a stringent budget. Each sibling learned to make do and celebrate events with style, leading to epic holidays and weddings. She’s shared those lessons with students to celebrate each years’ accomplishments at the Art Preview.
Walking into the facility, nostrils twitch as luscious scents waft from the kitchen. Bouquets, some acknowledging Ronna’s retirement and others as décor, welcome guests. Two festively-dressed students take tickets, hand out out guest-choice ballots, and offer attendees opportunities to participate in a fundraiser to support the art department.
Down the hall, the gym is not a gym. Young men greet guests with sparkling cider-filled tulip glasses. Along the nearby east wall, display panels and tables showcase secondary art. Nearby, a multi-tiered chocolate fountain surrounded with pretzels, tiny rice-crispy squares, strawberries, and more dipping treats awaits those willing to stand in line. Nearby, suited students normally attired in jeans and boots or tennies offer attendees fresh-brewed coffee.
A table set with black dinnerware framing smiling photos remembers students, one her son, who passed away during Ronna’s tenure as art teacher. Beloved faces and names below photos trigger frantic searches for tissues.
Art students following Emily Post’s Etiquette guidelines elegantly set hundreds of places on tables arranged through the room’s center. South of the tables, artful décor highlights a podium and reveals the music teacher who plays piano all evening.
Elementary school art fills displays and tables near the west wall. Viewers see skill transitions from beginner to accomplished artist as they examine art produced by kindergarteners to 12th graders.
To support their artists, local families and businesses donated silent auction items including gift certificates, art, food items, and more. Contenders good-naturedly battled to stay on top of their bids. Despite Ronna’s retirement, the art department will go on.
Students, following upscale restaurant protocols, served dinner. One server ground fresh parmesan over salads. Brownie sundaes followed roast beef, potatoes, green beans, rolls, and salads. No one left hungry. Student-servers conscientiously poured water and tea over guests’ right shoulders. Obviously, they learned more than art as they put this evening together for families and community.
Following entertainment provided by forensic team members, Ronna honored her students and identified those who won regional and national awards. Several have work hanging in Congressional Offices in Washington D.C. and Kansas.
As she transitions into the next season of her life, Ronna obviously expects Wheatland School Art programs to continue. Heading home into a pastel Kansas sky painted by a master artist fittingly ended this unexpected surprise.