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When Annalee McNeil, 16, makes a painting it isn’t just for class credit — it provides her with a sense of freedom and creativity.

“It’s whatever I want to paint,” Annalee [pictured above, right] said. “There are no rules. I paint how I feel.”

The work she created for her high school’s production of “The Wiz” reflects feelings of happiness and excitement at being able to design the play’s sets, she said. Her abstract paintings have attracted so much attention, they’re being snapped up by people who want to keep them as a reminder of the play.

Before they’re all claimed by Annalee’s fans, though, they’ll be on display at next week’s 12th Annual Art Showcase in Convention Hall. The showcase will feature the work of visual and performing artists from all the schools in the Asbury Park school district.

Showcase coordinator Jean Johnson [above, left], the art teacher at Asbury Park High School, said Annalee took the lead on designing the sets. Annalee is a prolific artist, she said, having created about 40 pieces of art this semester alone.

“She has this loose, natural technique,” Johnson said, adding Annalee has become one of the leaders of the art department at the school.

In addition to abstract paintings, Annalee has also created portraits of musicians Tupac and Rihanna, as well as still life paintings of a waterfall and flowers. She’d like to work as an interior designer one day, she said.

Zatima Benson, 17, [above center] is also a painter who enjoys the feeling of freedom and relaxation that comes from creating art.

“It’s peaceful in here,” Zatima said of the school’s art studio. “You’re in your zone.”

Zatima is happy to see Asbury Park is starting to be known for things like art and theater, rather than just athletics.

“I’m very happy other people can see my art” at the showcase, she said.

She created a painting of Whitney Houston, which will hang over a mixed-media chair she and Johnson constructed. The chair has a regal quality to it, which fits the portrait of Whitney Houston well, Johnson said.

Students at Asbury Park High School love making art so much, they often come to the art room during free periods to draw, paint and sculpt, Johnson said.

The school is especially full of artists this year because some students who participated in an art club in middle school are now students at the high school. An art club is in the works for next year to accommodate the students’ interest.

“I love it,” Johnson said of the students’ passion for art. “It’s so fun for me. I can get them funnelled in the direction they want to go.”

The large art room is located on the fourth floor of the school, right next to the cafeteria. The fourth floor was constructed when the school’s architect realized he had forgotten to include a cafeteria in plans, Johnson said. The art room was originally intended as a drama classroom and rehearsal space, but because it’s so far from the auditorium, it was converted years ago into an art studio.

At the art showcase, work from Asbury Park students from all of the schools, including pre-kindergarten, will be on display. The showcase takes place on Wednesday, May 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Thursday, May 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Convention Hall. Admission is free.

On the first day of the showcase, students will also give music, chorus, band and theatre performances starting at 5:30 p.m.

Students’ work will be judged by some local art aficionados: Frank D’Alessandro of the Stephen Crane House; former art teacher Gregory Brewington of the Asbury Park Board of Education; Laura Brunetti of the Caring Canvas; Su Chapman, program developer for the City of Asbury Park; Molly Johnson of Social Animal Press and Jersey Shore Arts Center; Jenna Zilincar of M Studio Design & Marketing; and Mary Gambarony of Heart 4 Prints.

Parking will be free that day, thanks to a resolution passed by the city council.

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