Students and parents poured into The Maine Art Gallery (MAG) on the afternoon of April 17 for the opening of the annual Wiscasset Student Art Show. Over 100 works in all mediums are represented by the students in elementary school art teacher Elizabeth Proffetty’s classes and Shalimar Chasse’s middle and high school classes.

“We’re honored to be invited to showcase student art and celebrate the process and products of their creations,” Chasse commented. “When selecting work, the criteria doesn’t always require quality. Sometimes it’s about the student and their journey, and for some the smallest gesture of appreciation for who they are and what they’re capable of rises above the judgment of worthy art.”

She said it was a “pleasure” to work with Mark Coates, the MAG exhibition chair for many years. “For the last three years, the quality of the show design is exemplary. It is a lot of work for Liz and I to prepare the works for exhibit and a wonderful relief that the installation is gifted to us.”

An excited second-grader, Ryder Bailey, pointed to his paper collage of a Samurai warrior he created in Proffetty’s class. She said the students had looked at pictures of Japanese Samurai clothing and then cut out different patterned and colored paper to create their images. How Ryder blended colors and patterns and cut the pieces to resemble clothing in his figure was impressive. 

Sero Sproul, a 12th grader who had displayed a number of works in different mediums, stood by a lovely oil stick landscape painting. The colors and composition were quite nice, though she said her favorite medium was digital art. After graduating, she plans to study cosmetology.

Third-grader William Marshall had some whimsical, imaginative ceramics on display. He stood proudly with his mother, Kimberly Averill.

Both teachers were invited to display some work of their own. Proffetty said she actually forgot this year – last year she exhibited some exquisite little paper folding books.

Chasse did have some drawings displayed this year.  About this, she said: “As I developed my works in progress, I included students and their suggestions for improvement. The hope is that this allows them to feel more comfortable with feedback on their work along the way…. Many consider the arts, the frills of education. Most of us who have made a career of guiding students through their creative process, their growth, and their achievements know better. The artistic process mimics life. And there may be no better practice to prepare young people for life.”

The Maine Art Gallery is grateful for the support of exhibit sponsor First National Bank, and to season sponsor Sherri Dunbar of Tim Dunham Realty, and capital sponsor Islebrook Village at Wiscasset, an Everbrook Senior Living Community.

The exhibit will be open on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at 15 Warren Street, a block from Main Street and Route 1.