Added on May 5, 2014 Sara Swanson

9th Annual High School Art Show Set for May 10

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Admiring an exhibit at last year’s art show. Photo courtesy of the Manchester District Library

by Anne Buckalew

Held each Spring at the Manchester District Library, the first Annual Manchester High School Student Art Show was an event imagined and sponsored by Riverfolk whose mission is “to engage the community in music and arts experiences which nurture creativity and promote cultural diversity”. Now in its ninth year, the show has become a collaboration between the Manchester High School Art teacher, Angelina Griffin and the Manchester District Library.

New this year is sponsorship from Kiwanis Club of Manchester. Local Kiwanis members wanted to award cash prizes and have made a generous donation to support this. In each of nine categories (drawing, painting, graphic arts, photography, 3-D, alternative media, mixed media, best in show, and performance/music), ribbons will be awarded to first and second place entries; first place students will also receive $100.

Mrs. Griffin is excited by both the sponsorship and the level of student work this year. Each of her art students was required to submit two pieces for the show and is guaranteed to have one piece chosen for display. About 100 students at Manchester High School are in the art program where full classes highlight the demand. That is a tremendous volume of work to display at the Manchester District Library. Mrs. Griffin is happy to have the help of some Key Club students this year for the matting and installation. It is a big job and will take place when the library is closed on May 8.

According to Mrs. Griffin, more than 15% of graduating Manchester students choose an art related field. They may pursue architecture, go into graphic design, or even become art teachers themselves. The Open House is the public’s opportunity to see what these remarkable students are capable of creating. Among art chosen this year are some fantastic pieces of portraiture and wonderful 3-D projects that were created during a unit on Southwest Inspired Pottery which was made possible by a grant from the Manchester Community Schools Foundation to purchase 500 pounds of clay.
At the Open House, Key Club members will be sponsoring a fundraising event called Miracle Minute. During one single minute, attendees will be encouraged to donate any spare change they may have. This money will go to the Kiwanis Eliminate Project which seeks to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, a deadly disease which takes the lives of nearly 60,000 babies annually. More information will be available from Key Club members at the Open House.

The 2014 Student Art Show Open House will take place at the Manchester District Library, 912 City Road, on May 10, 2-4pm. Come browse the art while sampling homemade cookies from the community, delicious Iceni Tea, and live music from high school performers. Art will remain on display at the Library through the end of the month.