Chrissy Farias's pre-kindergarten students showed off their artwork to family on Wednesday night for the class's annual art show at the Loft School.

“This is my favorite night of the year,” said Farias.

Since January she has introduced the kids to a variety of artists from the past and present, including Vincent Van Gogh, Michelangelo and Andy Goldsworthy. Taking cues from each artist, the students created their own pieces.

Farias said the most memorable activity for kids was probably getting to paint like Michelangelo.

“They got to lay down under the table and paint,” explained Farias, who documented all of the projects and had pictures of the artwork-in-progress on display.

One of Farias's favorite activities was one in which the students learned about Goldsworthy, a sculptor who uses objects in nature as his materials. The kids, ages four and five, went into the courtyard of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church and created their own artwork by arranging flowers, leaves and shells.

Marion artist Lynne Kuhl also visited the class and taught them about self-portraits. That project was 4-year-old Oliver Ward’s favorite piece.

“I got to draw and paint my whole body,” he said.

In all, the students learned about 11 artists and Farias has creative projects to accompany each one, from Q-tips and paint to imitate the French painter Georges Seurat to hamburger sculptures in the style of Claes Oldenburg.

Loft School Director Lil Shani said she was proud of the kids for their hard work and of Farias for her dedication.

“To be able to bring art to life in a way that's meaningful to them is so important,” she said.