High School Art Show Displays Local Talent, Optimism
 'My Blue Tutu' by Victoria Cardillo |
Daphne Gunter, a junior at St. Joseph's High School in Pittsfield, has taken the master's words to heart. She, along with more than 100 students from 12 area schools, is exhibiting her work at the 25th annual High School Art Show that opened at the Norman Rockwell Museum on Saturday.
"I'm not happy with it," Gunter said of her painting, a bright acrylic work called simply "Petite House." "It's not dark enough."
Indeed, the pink Dr. Seussesque house is not threatening to its many observers. The power of this painting lies in the talent of it creator, who is just setting out on the artist's path.
"As generic as it sounds, I do like Picasso the most," Gunter said. "He had such a way of expressing what he saw. In his case, it is creation for the sake of the creator. He really didn't care what other people thought of his work.
"I've been an artist for three years and I'm looking around this room and it's a little intimidating. It makes me want to figure out where I can better myself as an artist."
There was no telling who was the better artist at this show. The exhibit showcased a range of mediums including acrylic, clay, ink, pencil, tissue paper and photography, to name a few. Satirical political cartoons shared the same wall with abstract mixed media and photography triptychs. Melinda Georgeson, the museum's director of education, said this year's show highlights not only the many talents of local students but also their uninhibited use of color.
"Right after 9/11 all of the works were very dark," she said. "Even two and three years after, the pieces for the show were heavy. Now, if you look at all the color, it shows a real optimism. It just goes to show that kids are always affected by the world around them."
 'Petite House' by Daphne Gunter |
"This is the first year I've ever been in an art class," she said. "I really like it, but it feels weird to have my work in an exhibit."
Caroline's father, Bill Vitek, said art has been an amazing experience for his daughter, who is autistic.
"This has opened a lot of doors for her," he said. "She comes home with some really cool stuff from her art class. It's just amazing what these kids can do."
The art show runs from now until March 6.
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