Shaler Intermediate School students got to show off their creative side last week during teacher conference day when their art work was displayed in the library as part of the school's annual art show.

The library was filled with the eighth- and ninth-graders' work including sculptures, pottery, jewelry, metal masks and classic drawings and paintings.

The art show continues at the library until Friday.

This is the third year that Shaw and fellow art teacher Shauna Bauers have hosted the show, but it has been going on for at least the 10 years that the intermediate school has been around.

Shaw says the art show is important for the students, whose art work is displayed at other times throughout the year, because it helps to show off their artistic skill. It's especially good for the students that thrive in the creative environment as opposed to just academics or sports.

Gail McLaughlin was there to check out her daughter's work. Gail's daughter, Rebecca, is in eighth grade.

"It certainly gets a lot of traffic," McLaughlin says about having the art show on teacher conference day. "I enjoy it. I hear about it at home and now I get to see it."

Carol and Bill Shields were there to see the work of their daughter, Elizabeth, an eighth-grader. This is Elizabeth's first year at Shaler, as she spent her earlier years at a parochial school.

Carol was taking advantage of her video camera and digital camera the day of the show.

"I love it," Carol says. "It's great to be able to see all the work they do during the year and all the effort."