Student Art Show: A Fantastic Display at Orcas Center in May

Student art such as this painting will be on display at the Orcas Center during May. Opening reception is Friday, May 4, from 3:30 to 7 p.m.

The work of the next generation of Orcas Island artists will be on display at the Orcas Center galleries this month.

The public is invited to the Art Opening Reception hosted by the 5th and65th grade classes at Orcas Island Elementary School, at the Center from 3:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 4.

The exhibit is an island tradition in celebration of Arts Education Month. All island schools are invited to display student art work in the exhibit. Hanging the 200-plus pieces is a challenge, and this year there will be three-dimensional art such as ceramic artwork and masks.

Orcas High School students’ art is coordinated by teacher Corey Wiscomb, who with his students will hang the foyer on Thursday evening.

The Orcas Open Arts Committee brings professional island artists to the elementary classrooms, getting the experience of how an artist works. This year, Open Arts has developed curriculum for the middle school students, as one of their “Exploratory” Classes. Andrea Cohen is working to present visual journaling and collages with the students.

Cohen says, “I’m really excited, the kids are so hungry for art. The middle school students are at the most important age to provide an expressive outlet”

Other artists teaching the Exploratory class are Brooke Meinhardt, and sculptor Ellen Wherrette. The elementary and middle school pieces will be placed by the Open Arts Committee, who last year decided to mix all grade levels, encouraging people to look at the “cornucopia” of all the students’ art.

“Children naturally have a brilliance and spontaneity of expression that we all aspire to get back to,” said Cohen. “There is some remarkable art … and I leave the exhibit glowing.”

Music, refreshments and a scavenger hunt will be part of the Opening Reception on Friday, May 4.