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You’d have a difficult time fitting a year’s worth of Concord school district art students into one store at the Steeplegate Mall – at least in a humane fashion. But you can fit a year’s worth of art projects in one.
The 2013-14 Concord School District Art Show (as part of Youth Art Month) kicks off at Steeplegate on March 6 with an opening night reception from 5:30 to 7, and will run through April 15. What’s more, no students were harmed in the making of this gallery.
Just the opposite, really. As is the annual tradition, the art show highlights the work of students from all schools and grade levels in the Concord district, with contributions from artists in first grade through 12th grade. Karen McCormack of Broken Ground School estimated that more than 1,000 pieces would be included in the show after the district art teachers make their selections.
“We strive to really give people an overview of our curriculum, to show that (student) growth over time,” McCormack said. “There’s a great variety of different perspectives, different approaches to a project.”
The school district has developed a strong relationship with the Steeplegate Mall over the years and this year was given the option to choose one of three spaces in the mall to host the gallery. The teachers opted for the former Coach store space, which is slightly bigger than the location in the last three years.
The new space is also more square, whereas the previous spot was long and narrow.
“I think we’re really lucky to have that relationship,” McCormack said. “We get a great space and get so much foot traffic.”
Setting up such a massive gallery requires some logistical gymnastics, and the contributions of many, including parents and student volunteers. The entire show is set up in one evening, as the teachers arrive “armed with staplers,” according to Betsy Gammons of Rundlett Middle School.
“It’s an organic process,” Gammons said. “It’s sort of like a lava lamp.”
“It’s like we turn on a whirlwind fan. We kind of blow in and splash the walls with all the art work,” said Liz MacBride of Christa McAuliffe School. “It feels like a tornado, like how can we possibly put all this stuff up here? But it seems like it works every time.”
That energy is especially present on opening night, when the gallery benefits from the contributions of more than just art students. There is live music from Concord school students and cookies baked by the culinary classes at the high school.
“One thing I really love at the art show is the energy that happens on opening night. You leave and you just feel good,” said Emily Banks of Concord High School. “It’s pretty cool for the kids to have a chance to feel special or get that recognition for what they do.”
Student reaction is one of the most rewarding parts of the show, several teachers said. Older students can look fondly at projects they remember trying when they were younger, while younger students can gaze at the accomplishments of the big kids.
“Watching the reactions of the students (is great); when you’re younger, you look up at what the older students are doing, and the older students look back and reminisce,” said Jeff Fullam of Concord High School.
There is a wide array of projects, especially at the high school level, where offerings include ceramics, metalsmithing, printmaking and photography. Technology plays a larger role this year, as well, as McCormack had her students utilize the mobile app, Aurasma, to make the show more interactive.
Using the app, you can scan a student project or QR code and be shown a video or animation. Videos include students explaining the thought process that went into their work, while QR codes take you to student blogs. The Aurasma app is a free download for Apple and Android users.
The show will be open during mall hours, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. And no matter how many times the teachers in the district have worked on this annual project, it never gets old, especially as they get to track their former students through art.
“You recognize names, and it’s amazing to see how far they’ve advanced in a short period of time,” said Stephanie Bednaz of Rundlett.
