April 14, 2022:
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” — Georgia O'Keeffe.
Often in life, we don’t appreciate something until it’s gone. Sunderland Art Instructor, Amy Harris, will always remember where she was when she first heard that COVID would be shutting down school classrooms in March of 2020. “I had loaded my car with student art that was to be taken that morning to the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC),” Harris recalls. “I immediately realized that the show would be canceled. The children would be disappointed that their work would not be seen and the public would miss witnessing the joy of their creations.”
For years, the SVAC celebrated the arrival of spring with the works of local preschool, elementary, middle and secondary students. That tradition was severed by the pandemic in 2020. But after a limited production in 2021, Art From the Schools Is back in full swing in 2022 with paintings, sculptures, masks, ceramics and much more on display at the Center’s Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum through Sunday, May 1st.
“Our kids are doing imaginative work at all ages,” says David Paarlberg-Kvam, art instructor at The Dorset School. “Art from the Schools is huge. It motivates the students to complete their best art for all to see on a big stage. It’s a celebration of our kids, our schools, and our community. It’s important for everyone to see what’s going on in our classrooms."
One feature of the exhibition is that a single setting showcases the work of children from preschool through high school. The effect is akin to a visual accounting of children’s creative growth.
There are colorful paper mache masks by Dorset School first graders. Manchester Elementary Middle School (MEMS) sixth graders use mixed media drawings and paintings to illustrate the mysterious world of magic potions. In a nearby space, more sophisticated works are shown by high school artists from Long Trail, Burr & Burton, Arlington, VPI, Stratton Mountain School, Fair Haven, and Poultney High Schools.
Some of those older students had their first public showing a few years ago during their elementary days at Art from the Schools. “I love checking out the creations of my former students,” says Paarlberg-Kvam. “Their art is inspiring. The exhibit allows us to see the development over the years.”
Another aspect of the show allows viewers to leave post-it note messages to the young artists. They range from simple expressions of wonder like “Wow!” or “I love these creatures” to longer heartfelt observations. “My dad passed away a few months ago. Cardinals remind me of him. Seeing this made me smile. I felt like he was here with me. Thank you.”
“Art from the Schools helps launch our spring season at SVAC,” says Anne Corso, SVAC Executive Director. “This year features work from some thirty schools in Southwest Vermont. We are honored to offer these young artists a venue to express their creativity. We love seeing the expressions of delight when the students see their art featured in a museum.”
Currier Memorial Elementary art teacher, Maria French, could not agree more. “When I told my students that their work would hang in a museum, one young artist started jumping for joy,” says French. “He was so excited that the paint brush he was clutching broke in two.” Just wait until an upcoming field trip where he will see the Currier Bird, a multi-colored, mixed-media sculpture created by all K-5 Currier students, featured at the entrance to the exhibition.
The SVAC and the young student artists are not the only beneficiaries of the return of Art from the Schools.
“Yesterday was a turning point in that art teachers across the district saw each other in person for the first time in a very long time,” said MEMS art teacher Jennifer Tallini on the day following the installation. “We all have so much excitement about the exhibit at the SVAC this year. There is a ton of work to see!!”
Sunderland’s Harris, meanwhile, is eager to make up for those lost two years. “I have displayed one piece of art for every student -- beautiful paintings, collages, plaster figures, and animals made from egg cartons,” says Harris. “I want to thank the Southern Vermont Arts Center for letting the schools take over the stunning galleries of the Wilson Museum. It is incredibly special for all of the students to see their work in such a grand space."
