RUMFORD — Each year Mountain Valley High School offers a night of the arts. Students display their art in various media, including quilts. Often a musical ensemble performs. But unfortunately over the years, the crowd has dwindled.

Art teacher Steve McGinty came up with a different idea – a virtual art show open to the travelers of the worldwide Web. Readers can click on www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d8lhlhVYc8 to view the 18-minute show, complete with classical music. The audience tripled.

Another practical reason for the virtual show was the leaky roofs over the art room.

McGinty said, “I usually start preparing for the show in early April. This entails setting up the display boards and attaching the work to them. These boards are stored in my classroom until the night of the show. With the roof leaking, I ran the risk of having the work being dripped on and ruined. So, the decision was made to go with the virtual show.”

The virtual art show includes work from Art I, Advanced Art, Ceramics I, Ceramics II, Basic Photography and Advanced Photography.

But what do the student artists think of the change in format? The reviews are mixed.

Sophomore Stacey Roberts exhibited several works including a ceramic guitar. She said, “I would prefer a real art show just because you can see the real art. It’s not just flat on a screen. You can see the three dimensions – all around the project.”

Diplomatically, freshman Grace Briggs added, “I do like the virtual art show, but I would prefer a real art show because more people would be able to see the art work in person instead of in a picture. Also, not everyone knows that there is an art show because it is virtual. It would be better if we were to have a real art show so then anyone could come and look at all the art the kids have made. It’s more ‘realistic.’”

Sophomore Madeleine Kaubrys expresses the opposite viewpoint. She said, “Having my artwork displayed in the virtual art show was really exciting. It’s cool to think that anyone can watch it at any time!”

“I prefer the virtual show,” added Cierra Gannon, “because you could always go back and look at the art work and photos. With a real art show, you can’t.”

The young artists did agree the show is worth viewing and had difficulty singling out one or two works they liked the best.

Briggs said, “If I had to choose my favorite piece of artwork in the art show I honestly couldn’t. All of it, every single piece is wonderful. They’re all unique in their own way.”

Roberts also liked the uniqueness of the work. “I like that the work is the student’s own project. They could make anything they want like Madeleine made the Eiffel Tower.”

Gannon added, “My favorite works in the show were some of Josh Maillet and Kelsey Bevins photographs. They were absolutely stunning.”

Youtube.com encourages viewers to leave comments about postings. The artists would be grateful for the feedback from visitors to the virtual show.