Butler County students display art in 23rd annual showcase

April 11, 2026 Last Updated: April 11, 2026 08:58 PM Education

Brian J. White, Butler Area School District superintendent, picks out prize ducks during the Fine Arts & Beyond Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

BUTLER TWP — Aris Riglin, a senior at Butler Senior High School, displayed some of her photography Saturday evening, April 11. And although her photos were among others taken by some of her peers, she said her favorite part about photography is being able to capture moments that won’t be caught again.

The Fine Arts and Beyond Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School let students display their art to an estimated 1,000 people, many of whom were supportive of the artists as well as the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation.

“Honestly, it feels very supportive,” Aris said about the event. “Everybody here, teachers especially, are very supportive. They encourage you more than you believe in yourself.”

Artists in grades nine through 12 got to show their art to visitors, and have it judged in the annual showcase. The variety of art at the showcase included paintings, ceramics, photography and more.

Rylan Frie, another senior at the school, showcased her pottery skills at a pottery wheel demonstration station. Frie mentioned the way students were able to not only have their own art highlighted, but also admire their classmates’ work.

“I’ve known most of these people since elementary school and seeing how they’ve grown and their art has changed and growing with them,” Rylan said.

Alexandra Giltenboth, a junior at the high school, displayed a painting she made — a portrait of singer-songwriter Mitski in abstract color with one yellow eye and one blue eye. The colors in the painting represent different aspects of that music.

“To be able to represent her in a combination of all the things she represents. I think it’s pretty cool,” Giltenboth explained.

Students also pointed out the inspiration differences and perspectives between art, highlighting the subjectivity of it.

“It’s beautiful to walk around and see so many of my friends’ art,” Giltenboth said, “its just a hallway of inspiration and creativity. It’s different perspectives of their own life. Everybody has their own life and their own story and to be able to walk around and see so many people express so much creativity, it’s really beautiful and inspiring.”

Emma Nole plays with color lighted pegs during the Fine Arts & Beyond Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Gabrielle Romanucci works with clay during the Fine Arts & Beyond Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Student musicians play during the Fine Arts & Beyond Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday, April 11. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Dr. Brian J. White, Jr., Ed.D, Butler area school district superintendent, jumps into the pool to pick out prize ducks during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Dr. Brian J. White, Jr., Ed.D, Butler area school district superintendent, picks out prize ducks during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Emmalee McCandless, left, tries to help Calli Wisser with a remote-control car during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Emma Nole plays with color lighted pegs during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Emma Nole plays with color lighted pegs during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Various art pieces were on display during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Gabrielle Romanucci works with clay during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Melina Burgess, left, takes a selfie with Arianna Blinn and Reese Hilovsky during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Various art pieces were on display during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Various art pieces were on display during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Various art pieces were on display during the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School on Saturday April 11, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw