The April art exhibit at the Northumberland Public Library (NPl) in Heathsville will feature the work of Northumberland Elementary School students, grades two through five.
To highlight the event, the Friends of the Library will host its Arts Alive Friday! reception, from 5 to 7 p.m. April 7 at NPL, 7204 Northumberland Highway, Heathsville.
According to art teacher Susan Lewis, each grade has worked on a theme. For example fifth graders worked on a project of animals in unlikely settings.
“This gave them the opportunity to use their imagination and have some fun with the subject. They chose the animal and the setting,” said Lewis.
The students had a choice of oil pastels or color sticks and worked on a larger surface than they are accustomed to using, added Lewis.
Fourth graders worked on a Georgia O’Keefe flower study, said Lewis. They learned how to focus on the flower itself and also learned how to set up a palette. They used tempura on mini canvas.
Third graders also worked on animals, however, their focus was the animal and its natural habitat. These students used pencil, crayon and watercolor, she said.
Second graders studied faces. “They drew each other and then looked at themselves in a mirror,” said Lewis. “Their self-portrait work was to look at correct placement of facial features and try to make the features as realistic as possible.”
She plans to notify the parents about the show, especially those whose children have their work in the exhibit. They also will be invited to the reception.
“I think it’s so important for children to have the opportunity to have artwork publicly displayed,” said Lewis. “They have all worked very hard and their efforts should be recognized.
“If the show goes well and we do it again next year, I would like to include kindergarten and first grade. I would like to show samples of all my students’ work, but that would be impossible,” she added.
Lewis has a masters of art education from Tyler School of Art, Temple University.
Admission to the reception is free and appropriate refreshments will be served.
