Bring the whole family to Pinewood Elementary, 5115-84th Ave. NE in Marysville, for a free family art night sponsored by the school's PTSA. The event is planned for Friday, October 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Originally designed to help students with a Reflections art project for the annual PTSA contest, the event has blossomed to include activities for all ages and interests.

In addition to works-in-progress by fine artists like Janet Myer and Colleen Allen, a young man who specializes in graffiti-style art, Joseph Nagy, will demonstrate his unique style of design on a 7-foot by 3-foot panel.

Participants at the art event can learn to make native American cedar bracelets, hear local musicians perform, and peruse exhibits by photographers, potters and more. Local author Sharon Standish will also be on hand to talk about writing and illustrating children's books.

"We want to nurture kids' passion about the arts," said PTSA vice-president and Reflections chair Kendal Furnas. "To prepare for the Reflections art contest, we began to hold workshops after school to let students experiment with watercolors, pastels and other media. We expected them to do one project and leave, but instead they moved from table to table, gathering up armloads of artwork as they went."

The national contest is held November 16 through 25 this year, with a theme of "Beauty Is...". Students can submit original works through the PTA or PTSA in six arts areas-dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts.