A vinyl-on-acrylic piece by 10th grader Jasmine Rego exemplifies the vast array of creative opportunities available to Wiscasset Middle High School art students. See the exhibit during Wiscasset Art Walk.
Art students at Wiscasset Middle High School will be exhibiting their creations in the Weaving Project, 64 Main St., Wiscasset, during Wiscasset Art Walk on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 5-8 p.m. The students, from various grades and working in a variety of mediums, take part in a choice-based art curriculum, which encourages them to experiment, take creative risks, learn basic skills, and develop as creative people.
This glazed ceramic wall hanging, by 11th-grade art student Enya Waterbury, is one of a collection of pieces by Wiscasset Middle High School students on exhibit during Wiscasset Art Walk on Saturday, Sept. 28.
According to art teacher Shalimar Chasse, who is organizing the exhibit with students, the art program at Wiscasset Middle High School has been choice-based for five years. This approach to art education, she said, “encourages each student to select from a variety of media types, choose their stylistic approach, and challenge their artistic growth.”
The choice-based art classes at Wiscasset Middle High School are made up of students with a range of experience. A student might be in their first art class and working next to a student at an advanced or AP level of study. Students, within the same class, choose from a variety of materials and mediums, from drawing, painting, or clay, to less familiar activities like designing small box installations, drawing on digital tablets, or drawing wax resist onto silk.
While the individualized creative process is underway in the classroom, students are also taught to academic standards as basic art skills are woven into their classroom practice. This way, said Chasse, each student benefits from intrinsic motivation and experiences a quality art education.
“There are as many varied approaches to fine arts and crafts in Artland, a name passed on by alumni students, as there are individuals,” said Chasse, requiring myriad art materials in good supply. To help with keeping materials available, students are expected to contribute items to various school and community sales events, with proceeds shared by student and school. To this end, some of the pieces on exhibit during Wiscasset Art Walk will be available for sale to the public. Students are eager to exhibit their work, talk with visitors, and enjoy the warm support from the Wiscasset community that this exhibit is sure to encourage.
Wiscasset Art Walk is held on the last Thursday of June, July, August, and September from 5-8 p.m. Participant sites are marked with colorful streamers, and touring maps are available throughout the village. For more information about Wiscasset Art Walk, visit wiscassetartwalk.org or contact Lucia Droby at ludroby@verizon.net.
