“If I can inspire one of these youngsters to develop the talent I know they possess, then my monument will be in their work.” — Augusta Savage (American Sculptor)
The Bayfield High School National Art Honor Society (NAHS) has been sponsoring Adventures in Art for 17 years. It is a special community event that creates collaboration between the high school art program and prospective young artists from Bayfield Intermediate School.
This year’s event was held on March 9, and according to Bayfield High School art teacher Kathleen Neal, the NAHS provides scholarships to 40 fifth grade students that were especially chosen for a fun morning of art lessons.
“High school students write the lesson plans, make exemplar art project examples, practice introducing six different art lessons, and earn the money to pay for this event,” Neal said.
She explained that the BHS art students raise money for their events by painting holiday windows for local businesses, and this year their work was displayed by 13 local merchants. That meant the high school artists could purchase enough materials to allow each of the younger students to create multiple pieces of art.
“Each student went home with six different new art projects that their parents received,” Neal explained. “They were also able to witness their children giving correct responses to 25 related vocabulary words!”
The Adventures in Art event helped kick off a busy time of year for talented young artists in the Bayfield school system.
At 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, an artist’s reception was held at the Pine River Library, and the event even included a traditional toast being made to the talented young locals. Those who attended were able to take advantage of the opportunity to visit with student-artists and learn more about their work.
There are dozens of pieces of artwork on display in the library for the entire month of March, including 70 pieces from high school art students and 10 more from the budding new artists at the intermediate school. The public is welcome to visit the library during normal hours and view the work created by local students.
The busy spring art season will culminate with the Inter Mountain League Art Show, which will be held in the main gym at Bayfield High School on April 25 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event is held in Bayfield every six years, and will feature approximately 500 pieces of art from a half dozen high schools from the region. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
