Creative minds were blissfully at play inside Guiteras Elementary School this past Friday, March 8, as both students and their families came out for Art Night, this month’s PTO-sponsored event.

Beginning at 6 p.m., more than 100 children and their parents let loose as they allowed their imaginations to take the reigns for the evening. From the popular paint-pouring station — where they got a kick out of personalizing their own decorative art squares using a trio of their favorite colors — to the fiber-fun table — where, using strips of different textiles, they took pleasure in weaving designs through a plastic fence — kids of all ages had a blast bustling between the different activities available.

“The children and their families had such a great time getting creative and spending time together,” said Ann Marie Shoppell, PTO member and Art Night coordinator.

When her third-grade daughter, Sofia, had first declared that she was “taking Mommy out” to Art Night, Gia Cirillo — who herself enjoys painting — had no objections to the idea.

“Art is kind of like a lost trade,” she said. “It helps kids see things in a different way; the world is more than just black and white.”

Sure enough, by the end of the night, evidence of the students’ creativity was everywhere: from spiders sculpted out of modeling clay and color-coated wire to pencil holders accented with pink yarn, the projects made were just as unique as the child behind them. Of course, every student was covered in a healthy dose of paint as they headed home, too.

“They enjoy it,” said mom Erica Giannini, whose son and daughter, Caleb and Sophie, are in preschool and first grade, respectively. “It’s a fun night out.”

Helping to make Art Night possible were realtors Paula and Steve Martel, Century 21 Topsail, John Andrade Insurance, Allerton Framing, Elmwood Textiles and parent volunteers.