Art Walk 2011: Celebrating Visual Self-Expression
There was a time not all that long ago when Collegiate’s most talented artists displayed their greatest creations in a gallery in downtown Richmond.
That’s right.
For almost two decades, the culminating event of the school year was a month-long exhibit in the lobby of the Crestar (later SunTrust) Bank headquarters at 919 East Main.
It was a small but very nice presentation that was part of the school’s community outreach endeavor.
It was also, truth be told, quite a logistical headache.
You see, the art faculty had one crazy day to prepare the venue. That meant time away from school, transportation issues for works that wouldn’t fit easily in a car, and little opportunity to react if problems occurred.
“It was a mad rush,” said Dana DuMont, who is in her first year as K-12 visual arts department chair.
“It was definitely an intense day.
“People from all over the city saw our work, but it could be a hassle for our community who didn’t work downtown.”
That’s right.
For almost two decades, the culminating event of the school year was a month-long exhibit in the lobby of the Crestar (later SunTrust) Bank headquarters at 919 East Main.
It was a small but very nice presentation that was part of the school’s community outreach endeavor.
It was also, truth be told, quite a logistical headache.
You see, the art faculty had one crazy day to prepare the venue. That meant time away from school, transportation issues for works that wouldn’t fit easily in a car, and little opportunity to react if problems occurred.
“It was a mad rush,” said Dana DuMont, who is in her first year as K-12 visual arts department chair.
“It was definitely an intense day.
“People from all over the city saw our work, but it could be a hassle for our community who didn’t work downtown.”
Several years ago, Alice Massie, an Upper School art teacher since 1993 and DuMont’s predecessor, approached Head of School Keith Evans with an idea.
Why not, she proposed, move the show to the main campus and expand the offerings?
Evans readily agreed.
“It was really a no-brainer,” said Massie, a 1979 Collegiate graduate.
"All professional art exhibitions have a theme or concept that curates the show. This new idea tied nicely to our strategic plan."
Four years ago, the annual Art Walk on the North Mooreland Road campus was born.
The 2011 edition takes place Monday from 5-7 p.m.
Upwards of 750 – yes, you read that correctly – works of art created by students of all grade levels will be on display throughout 12 buildings on both sides of the creek.
“This is our showcase, our main exhibit of the year,” said DuMont, who has taught Lower School art for 21 years.
“While we show our students’ work on a small scale – in hallways, by division – throughout the year, this allows us to show art throughout every building, simultaneously.
“We hope that people with their family and friends will have a conversation about it.”
The theme of the first Art Walk was “place.” The next year, it was “green” and the next “play.” This year it’s “respond.”
“They’re ambiguous words for a reason,” Massie explained. “For example, a kindergartner might find their favorite ‘place’ is at home. Each grade level uses the same word, but the interpretation is completely different.
“We use ‘respond’ because the Virginia Museum (of Fine Arts) has just reopened. We’ve taken field trips there and brought artists from there to Collegiate.
“Students are responding to the new Virginia Museum with the medium of the class they’re taking. Some have taken an original from the museum and responded with their own interpretation.”
Interpretation. That’s the essence of art, of course.
“For example,” Massie continued, “the Painting II class took one of the four seasons: winter, summer, spring, fall.
"Look at the paintings, and with your own interpretation determine what season it is.
“No interpretation is right or wrong. The word ‘respond’ in itself has no correct answer.
“Actually, the answer is that there is no right or wrong answer.
"That’s the beauty of our art classes. That’s the nature of our whole curriculum.
“Our goal is to take a risk with no right or wrong. Collegiate’s unique because we let that happen.”
So what will people see when they tour our extended gallery?
“Everything,” DuMont said. “Painting, sculpture, drawings, mixed media, ceramics, everything.
“And a large variety of subject matter.
“It’s just another facet of our well-rounded student body. We communicate and express ourselves in many ways.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate visual self-expression.”
- Weldon Bradshaw
The student artwork will remain on display for three weeks.
Please visit Collegiate's visual arts department website.
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Why not, she proposed, move the show to the main campus and expand the offerings?
Evans readily agreed.
“It was really a no-brainer,” said Massie, a 1979 Collegiate graduate.
"All professional art exhibitions have a theme or concept that curates the show. This new idea tied nicely to our strategic plan."
Four years ago, the annual Art Walk on the North Mooreland Road campus was born.
The 2011 edition takes place Monday from 5-7 p.m.
Upwards of 750 – yes, you read that correctly – works of art created by students of all grade levels will be on display throughout 12 buildings on both sides of the creek.
“This is our showcase, our main exhibit of the year,” said DuMont, who has taught Lower School art for 21 years.
“While we show our students’ work on a small scale – in hallways, by division – throughout the year, this allows us to show art throughout every building, simultaneously.
“We hope that people with their family and friends will have a conversation about it.”
The theme of the first Art Walk was “place.” The next year, it was “green” and the next “play.” This year it’s “respond.”
“They’re ambiguous words for a reason,” Massie explained. “For example, a kindergartner might find their favorite ‘place’ is at home. Each grade level uses the same word, but the interpretation is completely different.
“We use ‘respond’ because the Virginia Museum (of Fine Arts) has just reopened. We’ve taken field trips there and brought artists from there to Collegiate.
“Students are responding to the new Virginia Museum with the medium of the class they’re taking. Some have taken an original from the museum and responded with their own interpretation.”
Interpretation. That’s the essence of art, of course.
“For example,” Massie continued, “the Painting II class took one of the four seasons: winter, summer, spring, fall.
"Look at the paintings, and with your own interpretation determine what season it is.
“No interpretation is right or wrong. The word ‘respond’ in itself has no correct answer.
“Actually, the answer is that there is no right or wrong answer.
"That’s the beauty of our art classes. That’s the nature of our whole curriculum.
“Our goal is to take a risk with no right or wrong. Collegiate’s unique because we let that happen.”
So what will people see when they tour our extended gallery?
“Everything,” DuMont said. “Painting, sculpture, drawings, mixed media, ceramics, everything.
“And a large variety of subject matter.
“It’s just another facet of our well-rounded student body. We communicate and express ourselves in many ways.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate visual self-expression.”
- Weldon Bradshaw
The student artwork will remain on display for three weeks.
Please visit Collegiate's visual arts department website.
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