Docent Greg Williams answers questions from students from the West Villages Elementary School
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AFCC Winter Art Exhibit Inspires Students to Dream
udrey Christensen is only seven, but the West Villages Elementary School first grader already has her future mapped out. Despite her diminutive stature, Audrey has big dreams, proudly proclaiming, “I want to be an artist when I grow up.” She has narrowed those dreams down even further – “I want to be an illustrator,” she says, again with a confidence belying her age. Perhaps her confidence comes from experience; Audrey mentions she has written a book about a magic butterfly. Or perhaps on this day in early February, Audrey is simply inspired, having just finished up a half-hour tour of the Cotuit Center for the Arts where 48 works of art were on display, each conveying the theme “Balancing Act.” 2016 was the ninth year the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC) held its Winter Arts Exhibit to showcase established and emerging artists while providing motivation for students like Audrey. And that is why the annual exhibit is such an important event for the AFCC. It is much more than just a show. “It is really about connecting students with feelings and helping them to convey their emotions,” says AFCC Executive Director Julie Wake. For over a month, students from throughout Cape Cod had a chance to peruse the exhibit, which included photographs; paste, oil and acrylic paintings; and statues made out of aluminum, clay and stoneware. For many children, Wake says, this is their first chance “to connect with art, experience a gallery exhibit and meet a working artist.” That world of firsts, Wake continues, will hopefully lead to a foundation of respect and passion for the arts which is vital to their personal growth. “We know that art transforms students into
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engaged learners and active thinkers,” Wake says, something the AFCC has been able to do in concert with the Cotuit Center for the Arts on an annual basis for nearly a decade. “Together, we’re connecting students with local artists and art so that maybe they’ll begin thinking about their future and maybe they’ll want to be artists themselves.”
BECOMING ACTIVE LEARNERS
The program has grown to the point that students like Audrey and her classmates are not only spectators, but active learners. A workshop accompanies the tour, allowing children to create their own art project tied to the theme of the exhibit. “I think it’s great to expose kids, especially young kids, to art. This is a very manageably-sized exhibit, 48 pieces, with all different kinds of media represented here,” says Michelle Law, the curator for the exhibit. “I hope this gives them the view that art is not necessarily just crayons and pencils. It can be most anything you find in the world.” The contingent from West Villages saw this firsthand when they stopped at Carl Lopes’ vibrant piece, “The Theory of Everything”, which featured a telescope and microscope against a shiny silver background. There docent Gregory Williams quizzed 20 first graders, asking the children, “What is this material?” “Glitter,” one girl responded. “Cardboard,” said a classmate. “Wrapping paper,” added a third, prompting Williams to reply, “I think that is what it might be.” Upstairs, the children met one of the artists, Alice Nicholson Galick, who created an ode to nature on the inside and outside of a Pops by the Sea 2016
