Art Show Exhibits High School Talent

Participating seniors chose 10 of their best pieces for the chance at a scholarship provided by the art association. From a collaborative sculpture by 17 students, to photography, painting and ceramics, the two floors of the Lexington Road gallery was abuzz with students, teachers and parents on Thursday night.

Four students won $500 scholarships that were announced by art association President John Tilney, a photographer.

For two-dimensional work, Natalie Fondriest won a prize for her pen and ink drawings and line drawings. Fondriest will be attending a joint program at the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University next fall. The photography prize went to Victoria Vierstra; the graphics prize was won by Teddy Pioli and Margaret Hamilton won the ceramics award.

Pickman said “more and more students are going into the arts” at the school. “The world has become so visual. I am privileged to be in a top-flight program,” he said.

He said the student portfolio is the “crux of the program for seniors. The 10 pieces are expressions of what they created over four years. They focus on a theme and develop a body of work.”

Vierstra said she concentrated on shadows when she set out to find interesting subjects to photograph. She went into Boston at night, and shot some photos in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Shannon McNamara moved to Concord as a sophomore, and after three years in the CCHS art program, she became a teaching assistant in the “intro class.” She said what she liked to photograph was the unexpected. “I sneak around and find interesting shots,” she said. McNamara will attend Loyola University next fall, and continue in art.

Parent Sue Gladstone said she sees the show every year, although this year was special because her daughter, Sara Delong, was exhibiting her portfolio. Delong will be attending Beloit College in Wisconsin to further her studies in art.

“What amazes me the most is the incredible art that comes out of a public high school,” said Gladstone.

Vanessa Vladasi, from the Cambridge Savings Bank, toured the gallery with art association Director Lili Ott. The bank donated money for the reception and awards ceremony on Thursday night. The show will be up until June 12.

The scholarships were announced by ceramics and sculpture teacher John Lindner, who said “every year the show gets better and better.”

“This show is a great way to finish off the year,” said Lindner.

Betsy Levinson
betsy.levinson@gmail.com