Today was the perfect day! The temperatures in Maine over this weeknd have been in the high 50sF. The sun shone, the snow melted (quite a bit) and life looked like it was finally returning to this part of the world at last - hallelujah! What a perfect day for looking at some art and what better an exhibition than a home-grown, home-spun, and stunningly phenomenal exhibition “Celebrate Student Art”, held at the Saco Musuem.

Now, it has to be said that this is my favourite time of year: not only are signs of life returning to the landscape of Maine, but one of the most spectacular art exhibitions in southern Maine takes place right on my doorstep. It also has to be said that this particular exhibition has been inspiring me for at least the last five years and has become an event that, like the return of spring, I wholeheartedly look forward to.

Imagine, wall-to-wall artwork, all of the highest calibre, executed with the greatest care and precision. Imagine vibrant colours, original themes, ideas and concepts that transcend the every day and open up avenues in the imagination.

This is the work of grades K-8 in the towns of Saco and Dayton, and a reflection of the loving and painstaking guidance of art teachers who are more than just passionate and enthusiastic about their work.

Along with original works are featured themes such as the reinterpretation of Georgia O’Keefe’s Sunflowers. To think that second graders are investigating, interpreting and emulating the work of Georgia O’Keefe fills me with a joy above and beyond belief. To actually see these interpretations in a succient and composite display is not only astounding but is truly  breathtaking!

Foreign art traditons are also introduced and brought to life in the work done by fifth graders emulating “Wycinanki” (pronounced Vee-chee-non-kee); the Polish word for ‘paper-cut design’. The richness and uniqueness of this art form is evident in these fifth grader renditions.

If you, like me, are craving some colourful visual stimulation in the form of  a visual feast for the eyes (after the monotone colours of  another winter in  Maine), make your way to the Saco Museum and prepare yourself to be truly amazed!

(And yes, being the mom I am, I have included shots of my children’s work here, but in words of Miss Nelson in the book “Miss Nelson is Missing”; ‘I’ll never tell!’).

One of the first panels that caught my attention	Themes on “If you give a ….”
In the style of Georgia O’Keefe’s ‘Sunflowers’	Wycinanki - Polish paper cuts
Two interpretations on the theme fish:

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This entry was posted on Sunday, March 8th, 2009 at 8:11 PM and is filed under Random Still Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.