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Expressions
Memorial Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade students selected by art teachers Elaine Kyle and David Santa Maria are displaying their vibrant paintings and personalized sculptures – including a series on a bird’s-nest theme – for the enjoyment of Good News patrons. According to Ms. Kyle, some of the works created by students are visual interpretations of literature while other pieces were influenced by still life and the study of Georgia O’Keeffe. “The nest sculptures are an outcome of a lesson driven by the Region 15 curriculum that is designed to develop self-expression through visual arts,” explained Ms. Kyle. “Students were asked to design a bird’s nest that represented a part of themselves.” “I made a lighthouse for this project which represents me in many ways,” said eighth-grader Christina Ruggiero. “I used the colors red, orange and yellow because I am a very bright and happy person.” According to Christina, her nest, made from objects that may be found around a lighthouse or near the beach, represents her love of Cape Cod and travel. The Good News Cafe has annually featured the work of Region 15 students in recent years. Good News Cafe staff member Jeanne Johnson notes that Carole Peck and Bernard Jarrier have made it a point to open their restaurant gallery to both local and internationally known artists, and the Region 15 show is well suited to this purpose. “They have really made it a priority to bring art to the community through their restaurant”, said Ms. Johnson. “Working with students in Region 15, has been a natural extension of their efforts.” “We are not a school system that is interested in producing refrigerator art or work that gets tucked away in a portfolio,” said Region 15 Director of Fine Arts Jane Sarjeant. “Higher-order thinking skills that are developed through dialogue about displayed student work and the work of other artists is invaluable,” she explained. “The Good News Cafe has continually afforded us a glorious opportunity to showcase the work we are doing in Region 15 with our fine students.” |
