Mass MoCA Invitational Draws Hundreds of Student Artists
Mount Greylock art teachers Karin Stack and Jane-Ellen DeSomma, left, are presented with the Phoebe Pepper Award by Mass MoCA Director of Programs Lisa Dent.
"We are constantly working on exhibitions, festivals, performances, all the different kinds of things, education programs, but at the end of the day, what is it that gives us so much excitement?" said museum Director Kristy Edmunds at Friday's reception. "This is the moment we meet this region's next generation of expressive, artistic true colors."
Hundreds of student artists from Drury High School, Buxton School, Pine Cobble School, Hoosac Valley High School, McCann Technical School, Darrow School, Mount Greylock Regional School, Pittsfield High School, the Academy at Charlemont and Berkshire Arts & Technology Public Charter School exhibited works ranging from ceramics to photography, oils to digital installations.
This year, there were four grand prizes awarded in the 11th Invitational and two honorable mentions.
Emma Vareschi of Drury won for her crocheted installation; Ben Jean Louis of Darrow for his photograph of two Darrow basketball players; and Eri Bolton of Buxton for a ceramic dessert tray. The fourth prize went to Pine Cobble seventh-graders Jackie and Chloe Murphy, twins who created an interactive oscilloscope work and a painting on a drum kit, respectively.
Sixth-graders from Charlemont were recognized for their digital installation and Noah Klompus of Mount Greylock for a unique ceramic teapot.
Each of the grand prize winners received $200.
Numerous students were also recognized with gold medal certificates and their art teachers presented checks of around $1,000 and art books for their classrooms, with Drury getting the highest award of $1,200.
"I'm still in awe of the bravery and talent shown by every student included in this exhibition. Sharing your ideas, your skills, your dreams with the public is really hard," Lisa Dent, director of public programs. "It's scary, right? Each of you are extraordinary and having your work here at the Invitational is inspiring to all of us."
This year's winners of the Phoebe Pepper Award are Mount Greylock art teachers Karin Stack and Jane-Ellen DeSomma. Each received $500 with the award.
We try to find exemplary educators each year who we feel have done an extraordinary amount of work to build their art program and see that the students get the facilities, the training and everything that they need," said Dent.
Judges were artist Stephen Hannock, who was credited with making the invitational a success over the years; Leslie van Breen of the Artist Book Foundation; Paulette Wein, assistant to the director, and David Lachman.
The reception included refreshments and performances by Drury band members.
Edmunds thanked a number of people for their efforts in organizing the exhibition, particularly parents.
"You make room for the creative, expressive truths of the kids in support with the teachers and all of these schools and in these regions," she said. "I just cannot thank you enough for what it is that you're allowing, supporting and giving light to.
"The constellation of this world is also built around the creative imagination finding form in ways that help warn us, alert us experience give us joy, make us marvel and inspire us."
