WATERLOO - Families flooded the Waterloo Center for the Arts Thursday to see student artwork and experience some of the Cedar Valley's cultural influences.

Visitors at the second annual CultureFest sampled ethnic foods while watching Bosnian, Mexican and Indian dance or musical performances. Familiar foods like pulled pork and macaroni and cheese were available alongside Saudi Arabian, Tibetan and Bosnian dishes. Performances were also held throughout the evening by middle school students in the Echoes after-school program.

The All-School Art Exhibition brought together nearly 1,000 pieces of artwork from students in kindergarten through 12th grade at public and parochial schools within the Waterloo district. The display continues through March 29.

But the family of Bryce Buhlman was watching closely for the Poyner Elementary School second-grader's contribution as they walked through the exhibit. When they found it, Bryce stood by the piece as his parents and grandmother took pictures. The artwork consisted of various colors of tissue paper crumpled up and glued to red construction paper in a grid pattern.

"They picked two from his class," said Sandy Widdel, Bryce's grandma. "I think it's very good for the families to get together to see what their kids did."

Orange Elementary School art teacher Darlene Asmus had a more daunting task: "I'm interviewing the kids as they come, anyone from Orange."

As Orange fifth-grader Deanna Adams approached, Asmus asked: "Have you found your artwork yet? You're about 10 feet from it."

The teacher positioned Deanna next to her drawing and began asking questions with the video camera rolling. She has videotaped students for years at the exhibit "and they just keep getting better and better."

"It's exciting," she added. "It's a great show. The center does a great job of hanging a lot of art."

Deanna and her mother, Jennifer Adams, were enjoying the exhibit.

"I haven't seen anything like it," said Deanna.

Kent Shankle, the center's curator, said the creativity of Waterloo's art teachers "shows in the work that's on display." He called the event a good opportunity for students to share "the things they've learned on their own in school" with family members.

"It's great to get all these kids in and experience some of the cultural diversity that's part of our community," Shankle added.

Contact Andrew Wind at (319) 291-1507 or andrew.wind@wcfcourier.com.