The work of artists young and old will be shown side by side when the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center's annual exhibit, “Both Ends of the Rainbow,” opens Saturday.
Photo illustration by Angela Kershner / The Citizen
Schweinfurth displays work of young, old
Schweinfurth displays work of young, old
More than 1,000 works by artists from students and senior citizens will line the walls of the Schweinfurth in an exhibit that examines whether maturity can be conveyed on canvas.
“It's wonderful to compare art between kindergartners and
seniors in high school, seeing
how it progresses and changes,” said Stephanie Schuster, assistant director at the Schweinfurth Center.
The young end of the rainbow is represented far more fully than the senior side, which will contribute less than a fifth of the total works on display.
The majority of the art will come from students at 18 schools from throughout Cayuga County. Art teachers were contacted by the Schweinfurth Center and asked to submit up to 50 of their students' finest works. Elementary school teachers in particular provided the maximum number of submissions.
“At the elementary level, it's more about representation,” said Tom Champion, an art teacher at Auburn High School.
With works of student art from several different schools on display, the Schweinfurth also offers area art teachers like Champion an opportunity to evaluate what their colleagues are doing to encourage artistic growth in their students.
“I always try to get there opening day,” Champion said.
Champion has been sending his most talented young artists to the “Both Ends of the Rainbow” exhibit for several years.
He also requires all of his students to visit the gallery every year, regardless of whether they have work on display.
“Getting used to their community resources is what's paramount about the whole thing,” Champion said.
This year's exhibit will feature a drawing by Victoria Calarco, a senior student of Champion's whose work he submitted to the Schweinfurth.
Calarco, who hopes to continue studying art at Bucknell University next year, will be represented at the show by her ebony pencil rendering of System of a Down singer Serj Tankian.
“It's pretty cool, especially because my grandmother is showing there too,” Calarco said.
Calarco's grandmother, Mary-Jane Sanders, has been submitting her acrylic landscapes to the show for two years.
Both ends of their generational rainbow met at the Schweinfurth last year when Calarco also featured a sculpture in the exhibit. Sanders believes “Both Ends of the Rainbow” offers artists an opportunity to gauge the contrast between the art of each age group.
“It shows people that no matter how late you start, there is art
in 'most everybody,” Sanders
said.
The art of these two age groups has proven popular with arts patrons of all ages.
Schuster says an annual average of 3,000 people have passed through the Schweinfurth each of the 20 years the exhibit has been organized.
“It's become a community tradition and a good opportunity for students to show work,” Schuster said. “Every year we get kids in high school who remember showing their work when they were younger.”
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: “Both Ends of the Rainbow”
When: Opens 10 a.m. Saturday; artist reception 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; gallery open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; exhibit runs through March 3
Where: Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, 205 Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: Free
For details: Call 255-1553
“It's wonderful to compare art between kindergartners and
seniors in high school, seeing
how it progresses and changes,” said Stephanie Schuster, assistant director at the Schweinfurth Center.
The young end of the rainbow is represented far more fully than the senior side, which will contribute less than a fifth of the total works on display.
The majority of the art will come from students at 18 schools from throughout Cayuga County. Art teachers were contacted by the Schweinfurth Center and asked to submit up to 50 of their students' finest works. Elementary school teachers in particular provided the maximum number of submissions.
“At the elementary level, it's more about representation,” said Tom Champion, an art teacher at Auburn High School.
With works of student art from several different schools on display, the Schweinfurth also offers area art teachers like Champion an opportunity to evaluate what their colleagues are doing to encourage artistic growth in their students.
“I always try to get there opening day,” Champion said.
Champion has been sending his most talented young artists to the “Both Ends of the Rainbow” exhibit for several years.
He also requires all of his students to visit the gallery every year, regardless of whether they have work on display.
“Getting used to their community resources is what's paramount about the whole thing,” Champion said.
This year's exhibit will feature a drawing by Victoria Calarco, a senior student of Champion's whose work he submitted to the Schweinfurth.
Calarco, who hopes to continue studying art at Bucknell University next year, will be represented at the show by her ebony pencil rendering of System of a Down singer Serj Tankian.
“It's pretty cool, especially because my grandmother is showing there too,” Calarco said.
Calarco's grandmother, Mary-Jane Sanders, has been submitting her acrylic landscapes to the show for two years.
Both ends of their generational rainbow met at the Schweinfurth last year when Calarco also featured a sculpture in the exhibit. Sanders believes “Both Ends of the Rainbow” offers artists an opportunity to gauge the contrast between the art of each age group.
“It shows people that no matter how late you start, there is art
in 'most everybody,” Sanders
said.
The art of these two age groups has proven popular with arts patrons of all ages.
Schuster says an annual average of 3,000 people have passed through the Schweinfurth each of the 20 years the exhibit has been organized.
“It's become a community tradition and a good opportunity for students to show work,” Schuster said. “Every year we get kids in high school who remember showing their work when they were younger.”
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: “Both Ends of the Rainbow”
When: Opens 10 a.m. Saturday; artist reception 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; gallery open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; exhibit runs through March 3
Where: Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, 205 Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: Free
For details: Call 255-1553
