Colorful and imaginative fall and Halloween themed art works created by some student artists from Perkins School, Newark Middle School and Newark High School are on display through November 2nd at the Wayne County Arts Center.
Perkins School art was inspired by the book, “Juna's Jar” by Jane Bahk. First and second graders “caught” their imaginations and put them in jars,” explained Perkins and Lincoln School art teacher Courtney Dentel, who is also the NCSD Visual and Media Art leader. “They learned how to neatly use colored pencils and how to do some simple shading to help their jars look three-dimensional.”
Dentel created a makeshift curiosity cabinet, with some hints of spookiness, to display their completed Imagination Jars.
Middle School students in Kristen Pullen's art classes were challenged to choose images that worked for either the fall or spooky theme.
Students were working to build their skills with colored pencils _specifically layering and blending colors, she said.
NHS art students created art with pen and ink drawings.
“Attending this event was incredibly rewarding as an art educator,” Dentel said. “To see the joy and pride on our students' faces as they found their work on display and shared it with their friends and families was amazing! It is our mission as art educators here in the Newark CSD to help build confidence in our students and to help them realize the artist in themselves. These art exhibits are the icing on the cake! "
The Spooky Art show, that also includes art created by students from Lyons, North Rose-Wolcott and Williamson school districts kicked off October 18th and 19th with the family friendly Spooktravaganza featuring a haunted gallery and spooky studio tour.
Young and old were encouraged to attend the three-hour event each evening arrayed in costumes. It also featured face painting, games, storytelling and treats.
Lyons Elementary School art teacher Alicia Linzy, president of the Wayne County Council for the Arts, Inc. shared this on the organization’s Facebook page October 19th:
“Thanks to everyone who came to check out the art show and were BRAVE enough to visit the haunted gallery/studio,”she said. “We loved all the costumes too! A huge thanks to board member Steve DeRenzo (also a Newark Central School District Board of Education member) who brainstormed this event last year and designed the layout of the spooky haunted gallery this year!”
"Alicia Linzy, fellow art teacher at Lyons CSD and President of the Wayne County Council for the Arts, does amazing work organizing art exhibit opportunities for our students right here in the Newark community,” Dentel said. “As we work to educate our students in the visual and media arts, it's imperative that we provide our student artists with authentic experiences to present their finished artwork. We are so fortunate to have a gallery space in our community that allows for a true gallery exhibition experience for our students.”
Student art will be on display at the Wayne County Arts Center through November 2nd. Families, students, teachers, and community members can visit during gallery hours Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2 p.m..