Gathering to celebrate student art from Wells schools at the Ogunquit Barn Gallery are, from left, President of the Ogunquit Arts Collaborative Deidre O’Flaherty, and Wells art teachers Shannon Petrie, Jenna Larochelle-Parry, Vanessa White-Capelluti and Emily Knight. COURTESY PHOTO/Reg Bennett
OGUNQUIT – Over Mother’s Day weekend, the Ogunquit Barn Gallery held its 41st consecutive Student Art Show exhibiting a variety of student artwork from several area schools.
Over three days, beginning with a reception on May 10, about 550 people viewed the exhibit consisting of kindergarten through 12th grade art.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to have their work not only on display but on display in a professional gallery so that they can bring their families here to see their work with pride,” said Wells High School art teacher Emily Knight.
Although several schools often participate, President of the Ogunquit Arts Collaborative Deidre O’Flaherty indicated that the schools from the York School Department and the Wells-Ogunquit CSD have been mainstay participants or “pillars” of the show for decades.
This year, the four art teachers from the Wells-Ogunquit CSD selected and displayed a combination of 225-plus selections including drawings, paintings, photographs, paper Mache masks, mixed media perspective artworks, and sculptures.
O’Flaherty indicated that the show can provide insight and inspiration for students.
She said that the artwork is purposely “not” grouped by school in the display so that students have to wander the exhibit to find their work and, in so doing, see and experience what students from other schools are creating. O’Flaherty also pointed out that this show often provides a “first time” visit to an art gallery for many of the students and parents who attend.
Toward the end of opening day, retiring Wells High School art teacher Vanessa White-Capelluti was recognized by three of her teaching peers for her long-time dedication to the show. A former student and colleague of White-Capelluti’s, Emily Knight, spoke briefly and presented White-Capelluti with a bouquet of flowers. Also honoring White-Capelluti was Wells Elementary School art teacher Jenna Larochelle-Parry, and Wells Junior High School art teacher Shannon Petrie.
The Barn Gallery is owned and operated by the Ogunquit Arts Collaborative. This year the Barn Gallery officially opened for the season on May 22.
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