The first of two art installations in the Jefferson Village School has been put into place. The art is paid for with funding from Percent for the Arts.
Maine stained glass artist Nancy O’Neil made three panels for a window in the front entranceway to the school. They depict various Maine and world images, and embody a theme of discovery and exploration, O’Neil said.
Her husband, Jim O’Neil, joined her at the school on Oct. 20 to install the panels. As the pair worked, Hilary Gallione’s sixth grade art class watched. The class learned about the symbolism in the panels and the process of making stained glass.
All involved agree the panels are “really cool,” the kids said.
Percent for the Arts is a state program that provides funding of one percent of the building cost, up to $50,000, for artwork in public buildings. At JVS, the program will pay for the stained glass panels and a large installation for school’s front hall.
The second piece will be installed sometime around Christmas, although no date has been set, said JVS Principal Pete Gallace.
Gallace served on the committee that chose the art for JVS. Through Percent for the Arts, the Maine Arts Commission chose a panel to pick art for the building. Along with the commission’s appointees, the building’s architects, Gallace and Gallione chose from among many Maine artists.
