DOWAGIAC – Thursday evening, the halls of Dowagiac Union High School will be covered from floor to ceiling in colorful paintings and drawings, while choir and band students will fill the building with song for an annual Dogwood Fine Arts Festival event.

The Dogwood Fine Arts Festival will be giving local students a chance to show off their artwork and other talents by hosting a youth fine arts night as part of the festival. During the event, student artwork will be displayed and the bands and choirs will host performances. The youth fine arts night will open at 6 p.m. Thursday at Dowagiac Union High School, 701 W. Prairie Ronde St., Dowagiac. Student concerts from the choir and band will begin at 7 p.m. The event is free, and the community is invited to attend.

The event, which showcases work from students kindergarten through 12th grade, allows Dowagiac students to show off their creativity to the community, said Dowagiac Union High School Principal Kelly Millin.

“The event was established to highlight the many fine arts talents of our students here in the district,” Millin said. “This is really a time for us to celebrate the many talents of the kids.”

Every year, Millin said, the students get excited to show off the work they have produced throughout the school year during the youth fine arts night.

“You can tell how excited the kids are just by the number of attendants,” she said. “If you come, it will be packed, standing room only. The kids are excited to share their artwork or to sing or play in the band. It’s an honor for them to have their work out.”

Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Chair Jim Benedix said that he is a supporter of the youth fine arts night. He added that he believes it is beneficial for students to be involved in the arts.

“Art and understanding the humanities is absolutely important for children to be well-rounded students and well-rounded individuals,” he said.

Millin agreed, saying that having students be involved with the fine arts allows them to indulge in creativity and exercise different parts of their brains, which can aid learning.

Both Millin and Benedix said they are excited for the youth fine arts night and would encourage any community members to attend Thursday evening.

“It’s just a fun time,” Millin said. “As it’s K-12, it’s really fun to see the development as the [grades] progress. It will be a lot of fun for everyone.”