It was standing room only at the start of the March 9 Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board meeting as some student artists got their turn in the spotlight.

District superintendent John Sanville greeted the crowd of parents and students. “Those of you who have come into the District Office on a regular basis notice it's been quite bland,” he said. “We now have beautiful student artwork that brightens my day every time I come in.

“We advertise how well our students do on tests, but this shows that our students are more than test scores. The experience here is a well-rounded one, and includes art,” Sanville continued. “I have to give thanks to Samantha Hage, who runs an art program called Art Beat. I called her up and said, 'Can you help me? I have a blank wall. Can you fill it with beautiful student artwork?' And she said, 'Absolutely.'”

The artwork fills the lobby area and nearby walls at the entrance to the District Office on Route 82, bringing color and energy to the previously empty space.

The work was completed through the Art Beat program, which is run by Hage in Chadds Ford. Hage, who works with students in the district's elementary schools, handed out certificates to each of the young artists and congratulated them.

“I asked these kids to do some things that are difficult sometimes,” she said, smiling. “It's easy to give up, or ask for help, but these kids stuck with it. They try new things, and sometimes it doesn't work for the first or second time, but they have perseverence. And I'm really proud of all of them.”