Arlington School District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: March 20, 2008

Contact: Melissa Smith, Community Relations

802.375.2589, ext 147 ~ smithme@bvsu.org

Student Artists Host Show at Canfield Gallery

Arlington, Vt.,--Arlington Memorial High School (AMHS) Advanced Placement Art students will have a showing of their selected work at the Canfield Gallery in the Martha Canfield Memorial Free Library in Arlington. The show, "Me, Myself and Eye," will begin Saturday, April 5, with an artists’ reception from 3-5 p.m., and will continue through Wednesday, April 30, during library hours. Admission to the art show is free, and the student work will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the art show will benefit the Arlington Arts & Enrichment Program. Light refreshments for the reception will be provided by AMHS Culinary Arts students.

Arlington's Advanced Placement (AP) Art class is a rigorous, two-year course designed for the advanced art student planning to attend art school or college who is committed to producing quality work that explores a variety of concepts and media. Arlington AP Art teacher Anabel Dwyer has invited 10 of her most talented juniors and seniors to showcase their work in this exhibition. "Having a showing of your art is a wonderful goal for advanced students," she says. "They are able to focus on the product of art, not just the process, which is important for their portfolio development, as they prepare for college or art school." In addition to providing the artwork for the show at the Canfield Gallery, the students are responsible for hanging their pieces with attention to space and detail, promoting the show, and creating a self-portrait for display.

Dwyer, who has been teaching art for more than 20 years, believes it's this level of detail that students need to experience to fully appreciate careers in the visual arts. "Each year, I have more students interested in studying art at the advanced level, and they all have plans to study art in college and pursue careers in art. I want them to understand that talent is only part of an artist's success. Knowing how to market yourself is just as important, so that people can experience your creativity."

The Canfield Gallery is located downstairs in the Martha Canfield Memorial Library at 528 East Arlington Road across from Arlington Memorial High School. The gallery is open during library hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9-5 and 6:30-8, Wednesday 9-5, Friday 2-5, and Saturday 10-3. For more information, call the library at 802-375-6153. For more information about the AP Art class, contact Dwyer at dwyera@bvsu.org or 375-2587, extension 132 or visit the school's website at www.arlingtonmemorialhs.org.

PHOTO: This artwork is a compilation piece by Arlington Memorial High School AP Art students participating in the Student Art Show at the Canfield Gallery in Arlington, April 5-30.