Spectacular Splashes Of Creativity Beckon Hundreds To Reed Art Show
Hundreds of visitors converged on Reed Intermediate School March 21 to admire the colorful cornucopia of creations that drew plenty of “ooohs,” and “ahhhs” at the school’s annual Art Show.
Younger siblings who wanted a break from viewing the walls stacked with eye-popping drawings and paintings were able to make artistic contributions of their own in the cafetorium, where they were invited to create inspiring messages on their own “kindness rocks.” Many others were lured to the main lobby by the music of the school’s orchestra and chorus, which performed separately throughout the evening.
School art educators Angela Choniski and Michelle Ginand told The Newtown Bee this year’s annual exhibit incorporated more than 1,300 pieces from 5th and 6th grade students, all of whom contributed at least two pieces to the exhibit.
From complex geometric patterns to animals and flowers, each piece evidenced the talent of its young creator and enthralled family members who stood and studied individual works close up, many pointing to the artists names identifying their own children and the work of classmates and friends who participated.
Ms Choniski and Ms Ginand said students were able to explore various media as they built their inventory of images leading up to the exhibit. Most were able to choose from oil pastels, pencil, watercolors, tempera paint, watercolor liquids, and markers to complete their projects
Working since school opened for the year last September, the sheer volume of pieces took a full four days to hang, Ms Choniski said. Ms Ginand added that while the Art Show served as an opportunity for the public and school community to take in all the artwork, the exhibits will remain up along the walls at the front of the building until near the end of this session in June.
Both educators said the 2019 show seemed to showcase more adventurous creativity than in some previous years, but each work was among the latest culmination from students who are able to participate in district art classes beginning in kindergarten.
“It was wonderful to see every student trying to create new kinds of subject matter,” Ms Choniski said.
“You can see that every kid from every level of talent created something outrageous,” Ms Ginand said.
Among the families checking out the drawings and paintings were members of the Kordik family, who stopped to look over a piece from daughter Victoria. They were joined by dozens of other families, including brothers Ben and Jack Carta and their dad, Adam.
As the school orchestra readied to perform, both of the Reed art teachers headed into the crowd, saying they could not wait to see what next year’s show would bring.