GLOCESTER – Looking for something to brighten up your day? Check out the annual display of student art work at the Glocester Town Hall, which lines the hallway with tables full of turkeys, penguins and other flora and fauna, as well as walls displaying a variety of talent and subjects, thanks to students from grades 1-5 at both West Glocester and Fogarty Elementary schools.
“We love the art,” said Deputy Town Clerk Christine Mathieu. “Everybody loves it!”
Art teacher Erin MacPhee, who has been teaching the subject for more than 30 years in Glocester, coordinates the show, which actually started about 10 years ago as part of a national initiative called, “Youth Art Month.” The program encouraged teachers to bring student artwork to the public.
MacPhee used to hold an annual art show at the school, but the format didn’t give parents and others enough time to view the students’ efforts. The Town Hall venue opens the show up for not just a couple of days, but for weeks. MacPhee tries to get at least one submission from each student, but with space limitations and other complications, it is not always possible.
Once the art is up, it is an immediate hit, says Mathieu.
“A lot of people come by and love seeing the art,” she said. “They love seeing the kids’ art every spring. We look forward to it. The kids get so excited when they come in and see the work. It really is something.”
“I think it is so important for people to see how kids can really shine in areas other than academics,” said MacPhee. “In this era of standardized tests and scripted curriculums, we forget that many kids learn in different ways and have tremendous gifts to share.”
“My other core belief is that we should not underestimate how much children benefit from the arts,” the teacher said. “The arts are our first language as a human race. Before the written word man painted on caves, sang songs and told stories. Through art you can teach culture, history, science, and math. It’s all right there, and they love it.”
MacPhee said she could not have created the gallery without the help of her colleagues Pat McDermott and Lisa Giorgianni. The show will run through May.
