Local students’ talents on display at the Chaffee

By SARA-MEGAN WALSH Herald Staff

Penguins from distant snow-covered lands stand close by peace flags that gently flutter overhead offering prayers of peace from the eighth-grade students of Barstow Memorial School. Brightly colored geckos from Fair Haven Grade School crawl along jungle tree branches.

These artistic visions are just a small part of the annual Student Art Show opening at the Chaffee Art Center Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m. Artworks from more than 600 students in kindergarten through 12th grade from approximately 33 schools and home-schooling families in Rutland County will be on display.

“It will be a very energetic opening,” said Beth Miller, Chaffee gallery director. This will be her first student show.

“There will be about 300 people at the opening,” said Tammy English, Chaffee office manager. “It’s the largest event of the year.”

There will be pizza and ice cream for students and their families while they peruse the works grouped together by school.

“To the students, it’s an honor to be selected as each school is limited by its student population to the number of pieces it can submit,” said Sally Timmons, art teacher at Rutland Middle School.

The show recognizes the creative talents of local students with awards in five categories: Best of Show at the elementary school, middle school and high school levels; Best Group project; and People’s Choice Award, which is voted on by attendees. Judges will decide the winners on Thursday, so the awards will be posted at the opening.

Winners will be given prizes of art supplies by the art center. In addition, award winners and honorable mentions will be given certificates and ribbons.

One display the Chaffee staff believes may draw a crowd are three life-sized human figure sculptures made out of clear packaging tape from Proctor Junior and Senior High School. The figures of a woman sitting upright holding a flower, a man holding his head in his hand and a figure sprawled reading a book are arranged in a living room scene that makes reference to the works of Los Angeles sculpture artist, Ed Kienholz.

“I don’t think they expect it,” Miller said, “but the birdcage is a reference to him.

“These kids are learning, they learn from the masters … it’s all here.”

Miller found various works in which students demonstrated their interpretation and influence from famous artists including Van Gogh and Monet.

“It’s my favorite show of the year,” English said, “It’s really cool to see the different artistic talent in the area.”

English said her son, 10-year-old Adam English of Middletown, has a pinch-pot made in the shape of Yoda’s head featured in the show. Adam’s pot was previously displayed in the Southern Vermont Art Show in Manchester.

Also featured will be a display called “Sustainable Rutland,” as part of a contest based on creating sustainable art for area students.

“There’s so much color and brilliance here,” Miller said. “It’s a show to enjoy.” This year’s student art show will be on display through May 3.

The student show coincides with Rutland’s Arts Alive Friday Night Art Hop. Activities include throwing clay mugs at Muddy Hands Pottery Studio, a display of artwork from Josephine Habeski of Ludlow at Timco Gallery and a photography display featuring local photographer Lance Jones at The Brick Box at the Paramount.

At Arts & Antiques on Center Street, there will be several demonstrations ranging from “Creative Handmade Jewelery” by Maggie Boise of Brandon to “Pointilism in Oils” by Paul Hudyma, a Chaffee Center member.

Contact Sara-Megan Walsh at sara-megan.walsh@rutlandherald.com.