All Arts night showcases student work

By Matthew Bernat
Turley Publications Staff Writer

STURBRIDGE - High school hallways were transformed into a museum of student art last week as visitors had music fill their ears and colorful images please their eyes during the district’s All Arts Day Preview held May 26.
Families and students perused work displayed in the halls and classrooms of the second floor of Tantasqua Regional High School (TRHS) at the long-running event.
“It’s a celebration of the arts for the entire school district where we’re able to showcase the work of students in kindergarten through grade 12,” said Christine Costello, TRHS fine arts curriculum supervisor.
The evening featured guests Karen Aqua, an animated film artist and composer and jazz musician Ken Field, who spoke to students in the auditorium.
Before hearing their remarks, families with young children in tow and junior high and high school students slowly streamed through the art filled halls, taking in the artistic expressions of their peers.
“It’s wonderful to be able to set aside a day for the arts for everybody in the district. We’re able to see the work of our youngest students alongside our older ones,” Costello said.
Burgess Elementary School students decided to showcase a variety of work, including self-portraits by sixth graders, based on direct observations with the aim of being as realistic as possible.
Third grade students had abstract art on display, which was inspired by artist Paul Klee and Native American symbols. Second graders created rainbow fish, similar to ones found in a story by Marcus Pfister. The project taught them how to create texture on clay and used their background knowledge to mix primary colors into secondary ones.
High school students had an array of art in different mediums available for viewing in classrooms including masks, murals, jewelry and sculptures.
In one room, 15-foot murals, still in progress, were laid out on tables. The scenes depicted soldiers from the Revolutionary War through today in honor of Memorial Day, to be hung from the third floor beams for all to see.
In addition to viewing art, people were able to purchase pottery, jewelry and fiber arts items. Students are allowed to choose which items are to be sold, though many prefer to keep them or give away as gifts to friends or family.
Although All Arts Day has been a high school tradition for years, this is only the third year the entire district has been part of the event. The event included artwork by all students, from kindergarten through grade 12, music by several district groups, stories, sculpture, pottery, fiber arts, drawing, jewelry, printmaking, sequential art, painting, creative writing, sales and demonstrations.
In addition to the visual arts the performing arts were represented as well. On the first floor, Lucy Colwell-Snyder, TRHS and junior high band director, conducted the senior band for an intimate performance in the cafeteria.
For parents streaming into the front door the sounds of the band were heard.
“This truly is a celebration of the arts,” Costello said.