Art appreciation

More than 200 people viewed artwork made this last school year by Lincoln and Perkins School second graders during the two-hour morning art show June 22nd in the Perkins School gymnasium.

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Courtney Dentel, Lincoln and Perkins School Visual Arts teacher who is also the Pre-K through 12th grade Art Department Leader said the show featured between 3 to 5 artworks made by second graders from both schools during the 2023-24 school year. Also on display were 2nd grade Newark PRIDE Pet sculptures, as well as art created by the 2nd graders who attended the Extended School Day Art Club.

“I was pleased with that turnout for a Saturday morning,” Dentel said. “Because of the extreme heat, the art show, originally scheduled for the evening of June 18th, was postponed to Saturday morning. I loved seeing families and artists with their siblings enjoying the work. Families seemed very happy to attend and celebrate their children's creativity. Students had fun checking out the ideas that students from other classes in both buildings shared in their artworks.

“It was a great event for students and families,” Lincoln School Principal Kari Hamelinck said. “This was a fantastic way for our second graders to celebrate their hard work and creativity. Mrs. Dentel did a fantastic job working with our students all year and we are grateful for her providing the opportunity for students to share their work collectively across both buildings.’

“Mrs. Dentel created a gallery like atmosphere that was welcoming to our artists and their families. It was wonderful to see the artist explain their work and peers work to loved ones,” said Perkins Principal Pete Czerkas.

Katie Pullen, who in May was elected to her first three-year term on the Newark Board of Education and will begin serving in July, attended the art show with daughter Elizabeth, who will be a junior at Newark High School in the fall and is an art student there said: “We were blown away by the incredible work of our young artists. It's so inspiring to see the creativity and talent in our district. As we admired the artwork, Elizabeth and I talked about how much we appreciate the unbridled creativity of young artists. They’re at a stage where they aren't constrained by the need for perfection or realism, allowing their creativity to flow freely. Elizabeth pointed out that sometimes we don't realize just how amazing these young artists are. A big ‘wow’ to all of our fantastic young artists and a heartfelt thank you to their dedicated teacher! Keep shining!"