UPPER BURRELL, Pa. — "Portraiture and faces" is the theme of the annual high school student art exhibit on display March 2 to 26 in the Art Gallery at Penn State New Kensington.
The show, “Arts Alive,” is sponsored by the Alle-Kiski Arts Consortium, a group of local educators dedicated to bringing performing and visual arts to area students. Artwork by students from five area high schools — Highlands, Valley, Deer Lakes, Kiski Area and St. Joseph's — is featured in the show. The theme is interwoven in each school’s display.
One of the more exciting displays is a life-size mosaic art rock band creation by Valley students. The exhibit includes eight real size guitars and features Joan Jett and Slash. Jett was the guitarist, singer and songwriter for the all-female punk-rock bands The Runaways and Blackhearts of the 1970s and '80s. Slash, whose real name is Saul Hudson, was the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter for the hard-rock band Guns N’ Roses of the '80s and '90s. Both musicians are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Valley’s show is a result of a substantial collaborative effort from 25 members of all the advanced classes,” said Ray Sharkins, visual arts educator at Valley High School in the New Kensington-Arnold School District and coordinator of the event. “Participation in the project provided the students with a type of group learning environment that is rarely found in a typical school day.”
More than 500 two- and three-dimensional pieces, including paintings, drawings, sculpture and jewelry will be hung salon-style, a European technique that dates back to the 17th century. Salon-style features a single exhibition room with artwork covering all the walls in a collage-like pattern.
“It furthers the uniqueness of the young emerging artists,” said Prissy Pakulski, an art teacher at Valley and former event coordinator. “In addition, easels and pedestals further showcase the creations.”
A reception for the secondary-school artists is set from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 21, in the art gallery. In conjunction with the reception is the High School Performing Arts Showcase, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the campus’ Forum Theatre.
“Performing arts is yet another venue for creative minded students to showcase their talents in the theater and vocal arts,” Sharkins said.
The exhibit, reception and performances are free to the public. The gallery is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. on the weekends.
“The art exhibit is a wonderful cooperative experience for the art students in the districts,” said Pakulski, a visual artist who works in stained glass. “The gallery at Penn State New Kensington produces an ambiance of professionalism, and students get a real gallery exhibition experience.”
For more information, email Sharkins at rsharkins@nkasd.com.
For photos of the exhibit, visit http://psnk.smugmug.com/.