RUMFORD – More than 100 SAD 43 schoolchildren and a dozen local artists have teamed up to present a double dose of artwork at the Pennacook Art Center and the “garage” of adjacent Scrappers Domaine.
Opening at 4 p.m. today with a reception will be a display of artwork created by youngsters from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 in honor of Youth Art Month.
“We’ve never had a space before,” said Mountain Valley High School art teacher Chris Wing. “We usually just exhibit in the schools.”
Dozens of pieces of artwork, ranging from crayon-colored pumpkins and cave paintings to fantasy subjects created in acrylics and landscapes in oils, are hung on room dividers throughout the spacious “garage” gallery.
“This is a gift,” said Wing, referring to the space.
The display will be open for viewers through March 25.
Individual schools will also hold their own arts nights, with Rumford Elementary School having its in late March, Mountain Valley Middle School in April, and Mountain Valley High School and Meroby Elementary School in early May.
As Bob Finelli, Rumford Elementary School’s art teacher, helped hang some of the paintings, he marveled at the range of subjects, mediums and skill levels.
“It’s nice to see the continuum,” he said.
Last Friday, Pennacook Art Center opened its March exhibit on Kids and Critters, a topic planned in conjunction with Youth Art Month, said gallery manager Betsy Bell.
In the gallery are dozens of photographs, watercolors and oil paintings of youngsters having fun, spiders building webs, and owls seemingly posing for the artist/photographer, among other topics from local artists.
The gallery on Congress Street is open from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. “Kids and Critters” is on display until the end of the month.
The Scrappers Domaine “garage” is on Canal Street.
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