Galleries : Art Shorts
Educational art
For junior high students in Tisbury, the right to cultural enrichment and the arts is treated with the same weight as reading, writing, and arithmetic. The school recently funded a traveling art exhibit with the Discovery Education Program featuring the work of artist Frederic Remington, the first in a series of three artists.
"We are always looking at programs with the goal of continued cultural enrichment," says elementary art teacher Michael Ovios. "This program is ideal for introducing children to nationally and internationally recognized artists."
Photo courtesy of Whitney Burke
After reviewing a brochure for a traveling mural installment from The Discovery Program, Mr. Ovios presented the idea. Remington's American aesthetic gave junior high school students an alternate glimpse on the legendary Wild West, in conjunction with their English studies.
"This was a way to enhance the lesson and curriculum via art, especially in relation to such an iconic period in America's history," says Mr. Ovios, who has been teaching art at the Tisbury School for the past 34 years.
The Remington exhibit was initially conceived as an experiment in teaching. It's immense, both for students and teachers, because a powerful and valuable learning tool will result in two additional exhibits this year by artists from different genres and times.
"Ideally, I would like to feature one optic-illusionist artist and most likely Jackson Pollack," says Mr. Ovios. The program also provides professionally prepared study guides to help teachers incorporate the artwork into their lesson plans.
Moments in time
With her touching photographs of children and animals, Island artist Lynn Christoffers opens her "Special Moments" exhibit this Saturday, Dec. 6, at a reception from 3 to 5 pm at the Chilmark Library. Enjoy Ms. Christoffers' candid shots of Island life through December 31. For more information, email lynnberyl@aol.com.
New gift gallery in town
In an effort to benefit the Island Food Pantry, eight Island artists have joined together to form an Artisan's Gift Gallery in Vineyard Haven. This Saturday, Dec. 6, is the grand opening celebration, which features an original art raffle valued at more than $1,100, which benefits the pantry. Artists involved include Nick Thayer, Daniel Waters, Washington Ledesma, Ingrid Goff Maidoff, Beldan Radcliffe, Jeri Dantzig, Kathleen Tackabury, and Diana Stewart. Raffle tickets are $5; 3 for $10, and attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods for the pantry. The opening is from 2 to 6 pm at 18 State Road, formerly the Belushi-Pisano Gallery.
