Arts take center stage at SAD 1 exhibit opening
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
MANDY GRAHAM, a sixth-grader at Presque Isle Middle School, shows her brother, Dusty, the foil mask she made in art class that is featured at the Aroostook Centre Mall. The SAD 1 Art Exhibit was unveiled May 11 and the student artwork will remain up through May 28, at the Aroostook Centre Mall.
“We have some very talented children in grades K-12,
and this is a way that we can put it out for the public to see.”
– Ruth McAtee, SAD 1 art teacher
PRESQUE ISLE – Family and friends have another week-and-a-half to visit the three galleries at the Aroostook Centre Mall that feature artwork of local students.
The 15th annual SAD 1 Art Exhibit premiered May 11 and the various pieces will remain on display through May 28.
“It’s important to get the students’ work out there for people to see,” said Ruth McAtee, art teacher at Mapleton and Zippel elementary schools, who has been involved with the annual exhibit for 10 years. “We have some very talented children in grades K-12, and this is a way that we can put it out for the public to see.
“It’s a great way to showcase the kids’ work and show their creativity and the different types of art that kids can do,” she said. “Everybody’s always excited when they come in here … the adults are so impressed with how well the students do at each one of the levels – elementary, middle and high school. The kids are looking around for their work; they’re proud to show it off. This is always a grand night. I’ve always been overwhelmed at the number of people who come to listen to music and browse at all of the artwork. It’s wonderful.”
McAtee’s elementary school students work with markers, crayons, colored pencils, oil pastels, watercolors and tempered paint.
“We also do printmaking, figure drawing, portraits, landscapes, still lifes, color wheels and collages,” she said. “This year I had a student teacher who did expressionistic work. The work that the children do is more elementary level, but we try to cover the elements and principles of art. We have some very gifted art students in the elementary schools.”
Despite having to cut a district-wide art position due to budget constraints, SAD 1 Superintendent Gehrig Johnson said the district is “very fortunate” to have strong art and music departments.
“In the next few years, we anticipate difficult financial decisions,” he said, “but we consider it a priority that staffing in the arts remains intact as we move forward.”
At the recent opening reception, several music students performed in the food court showcasing their artistic abilities, as well. Performers included the Percussive Arts League, SAD 1 Grade 5 Band, Zippel Grade 4 Chorus, PIMS Boys and Girls Chorus, TC Club, PIMS Jazz Band and PIHS Jazz Band.
The work of Pine Street Elementary School students is on display at the gallery located near Olympia Sports, as is that of Presque Isle High School students; art by Mapleton and Zippel elementary school students is featured at the gallery across from Houlton Farms Dairy, while Presque Isle Middle School pieces are on display at the gallery located near Trader Joe’s.
Staff photos/Scott Mitchell Johnson
THE SAD 1 GRADE 5 BAND, under the direction of Kevin Kinsey, performed a few songs May 11 at the opening of the SAD 1 Art Exhibit at the Aroostook Centre Mall. During the event, other performers showcased their musical abilities including the Percussive Arts League, Zippel Grade 4 Chorus, PIMS Boys and Girls Chorus, TC Club, PIMS Jazz Band and PIHS Jazz Band.
SYDNEY ROBICHAUD, a first-grader at Pine Street Elementary School, proudly shows her mother, Jennifer, the collage bear she made that is presently on display at the Aroostook Centre Mall as part of the 15th annual SAD 1 Art Exhibit.
ANDRE DAIGLE, a third-grader at Zippel Elementary School, shows off his artwork to grandmother Doreen Beaulieu at the May 11 opening of the SAD 1 Art Exhibit at the Aroostook Centre Mall. Daigle’s piece was part of the display featuring creative images made using geometric shapes and the stamp printing method. The student artwork will remain up through May 28.
GABRIELLE HALLEY, a second-grader at Pine Street Elementary School, made this oil pastel flower that can be seen at the SAD 1 Art Exhibit presently featured at the Aroostook Centre Mall. For 15 years the district has displayed the students’ artwork in public as a way to showcase their creativity.
AMANDA WINSLOW, a first-grader at Mapleton Elementary School, was more than happy to show her parents, Nancy and Willie Winslow, the still life that she made in art class that is part of the 15th annual SAD 1 Art Exhibit at the Aroostook Centre Mall.
