BRIDGEPORT — Bridgeport High School art teacher Mindy Sears doesn’t just want to teach her students how to make art — she wants to show them how to make a living.

That’s why last year she and members of the school’s art club decided to hold an art fair where students can see how professional artists and craft makers sell their work and interact with the public.

“Visiting our local art festivals has become a big part of my life because I enjoy the artwork and the community. I want my students to feel this same sense of belonging. I want them to see artists who are working within our community, what they are making, and the types of things that sell in our area. Many of them have never been to a festival of this type,” Sears said.

“Events like this help young learners see how people are using the classroom skills I am teaching them and how they are used in everyday life.”

This year’s festival is set for noon to 4 p.m. May 6 on the front lawn at Bridgeport High School, located along National Road in Bridgeport.

Destiny Harris, a student of Sears who graduated in 2020, will be a featured artist at this year’s event.

Scott Hanson, a 1994 graduate of Bridgeport High School, will also be on hand.

“Art class is my fondest memory of high school. It was like my daily chance to shine and really be myself. As an adult I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to help out the school’s art program any way I can,” he said.

Other featured artists this year include: Joshua Bommer, Melanie Beall, Haunted Holistics, B.A. Nixon, Courtney Moulder @apartmenttwo, Savannah Guz Studios, Natalie Kovacs & Alex Write, Alyssa Hines, Becca and Ruby Ebling, Aeronia Adams and Logan and Anissa Picard- Keller.

“I would have loved to have the opportunity to interact and sell my art alongside working artists when I was in high school. It was encouraging to see so many creative and excited young folks doing their thing,” said illustrator and cartoonist Natalie Kovacs.

Wheeling artist Mindy Yarbrough Langford not only sold her work during last year’s festival, but also set up an interactive project for kids to enjoy.

“The students loved learning and seeing how I turned my artwork into merchandise like stickers, journals and custom coloring books like the “Find Me In Wheeling” Coloring Book and Scavenger Hunt! I also facilitated a collaborative painting session in which adults, students and kids contributed to a group painting. I loved watching the painting evolve as each person added their touch. Art making reduces stress and promotes relaxation and is a great activity to creatively engage your mind and body no matter your skill level. The painting will be donated back to the Bridgeport Arts Department for display,” she said.

Live music will be performed by the Bridgeport High School Marching Band, and local artists the Footers and Josh Garrett.

Food will be sold by the Band Boosters Concessions. There will also be kids crafts, games, prizes, balloon animals, face painting, caricatures, handmade student coloring pages, raffles, and 50/50 to support the Bridgeport Fine Arts Club and Bridgeport Band Boosters.

Proceeds from the arts festival are used to take students on a trip tthe Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

The Bridgeport High School Fine Art Festival is made possible through donations of time, money and raffle prizes provided by The Oglebay Mudslingers of the Stifel Fine Arts Center, the Andy Warhol Museum, Ohio University Eastern, Mindi Yarbrough, Tom Thomas, Abby Hart, the Bridgeport Band Boosters, Jeremiah Welch, Todd Hagar, Ryan Sears, and David Buckingham and Adam Bedway of East Wheeling Clayworks.