Butler County students display art in 23rd annual showcase

April 11, 2026 Last Updated: April 12, 2026 07:49 AM Education

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

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‘Hallway of inspiration and creativity’

BUTLER TWP — Aris Riglin’s favorite part about photography is being able to capture moments that won’t be caught again.

Riglin, a senior at Butler Senior High School, displayed some of her photography Saturday evening, April 11 among her peers at the Fine Arts and Beyond (FAB) Showcase at Butler Intermediate High School.

The annual event allows students to display their art to the community. An estimated 1,000 people, many of whom were supportive of the artists as well as the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, attended this past weekend’s event.

“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. Rylan enjoyed the opportunity to have her art on display, but she also mentioned enjoying the chance to admire 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.

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

Rob McGraw

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

She said she was enjoying the atmosphere of the event.

“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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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