Date: Fri 31-May-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: C

Location: A-9

Quick Words:

Students-NMS-art-show-Grey

Full Text:

(Middle School Show at Grey Horse Gallery, 5/31/96)

Young Artists Create A Buzz

(with photos)

By Shannon Hicks

The hottest art show in town opened last week to rave reviews and encouraging

comments.

For two hours last Wednesday evening, Grey Horse Gallery in Sandy Hook was the

place to be. During those 120 minutes on May 22, droves of people visited the

two-story art gallery for the opening reception of "Middle School Spring Art

Show," which features works in various media by over 200 art students of

Newtown Middle School.

Art teachers Claudia Clancy, Diane Dutchick and Sue Ward spent weeks selecting

the best works of their students. The works represent grades six through

eight, and include selections from the Art Enrichment 6-8 program. Media

includes drawings, painting, sculpture, graphic designs, collage and wood

constructions.

"We're very proud of these kids," Mrs Clancy said recently.

"They're very good," she continued.

While middle school students have been given space to present shows at Eagle

Federal Bank in Newtown - four shows so far this school year - this is the

first time the school has had a show at Grey Horse. According to Betty

Hoglund, art teacher Diane Dutchick was instrumental in getting the student

show into Grey Horse.

"We have been wanting to do something with the schools for a long time," Mrs

Hoglund, mother of gallery owner Darryl Ifkovic, commented recently. "Diane

was in here recently, talking with us about having some of her own work shown,

and she [introduced the idea of] having a student show here."

Grey Horse owner Darryl Ifkovic has volunteered the gallery space - upstairs

are the students' works, while downstairs hosts works by the three teachers -

for the middle school show, an unusual move for an art gallery owner. Whereas

galleries generally look to make a profit by renting out its space, as well as

earning commissions on a percentage of any work sold during a show, Grey Horse

stands to benefit solely from the publicity "Middle School Spring Show" will

generate.

"A lot of people have been coming in during the day," Mrs Hoglund said this

week. "Parents who couldn't make it [to the opening], grandparents and

friends. A show like this really generates a lot of interest."

Works in "Middle School Spring Show" are not your everyday pen-and-pencil

stuff. Upon viewing, it is easy to comprehend why the three art teachers are

so proud of their students. There are works that nearly defy belief when told

they are done by middle school-age students; some of the works look

professionally done, they are executed so well.

Regardless of what Grey Horse gets out of presenting the students' works, what

a show like this also generates is interest for students to continue at

something they already excel in. All the chatter and compliments overheard

last Wednesday at Grey Horse Gallery's opening reception was earned by every

student in the show.

"Middle School Art Show" will remain at Grey Horse Gallery through June 16.

The gallery, located in the building of the former Sandy Hook Post Office at

the junction of Route 34/Berkshire Road and Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook,

can be reached by calling 270-1191.