Students’ talent, creativity on display during Johnston High Art Show

COLORFUL CREATIONS: There were many colors featured in more than 500 pieces of art produced by students in grades nine to 12 at Johnston High School.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

COLLEAGUES’ SUPPORT: Johnston High art teachers Bridget McMahon and Kerry Murphy received countless congratulations for their students’ works from colleagues Dawn Forte, an art teacher at Brown Avenue School, and Donna Pringle, who teaches art at both Winsor Hill and Sarah Dyer Barnes elementary schools.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

HUMMINGBIRD: Sophomore Yuna Morales’ “Hummingbird” was one of the many pieces on display.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

STUDENT SHOWCASE: Senior Lauren Civetti shows her entry in last week’s art show.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

CREATIVITY: Colorful pieces like the ones above were commonplace during last week’s show.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

INSPIRED COLLABORATION: Students in Bridget McMahon’s 3-D III Class produced this piece after studying the work of famed artist Frank Stella.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

Posted Thursday, May 5, 2016 12:53 pm

By Pete Fontaine

Johnston High School’s 2016 Art Show will long be remembered for the extraordinary and excellent work that was on display.

Those who turned out to view more than 500 student-produced pieces showered art teachers Kerry Murphy and Bridget McMahon with rave reviews of the colorful creations that lined the walls of the second-floor corridor.

“Well over 400 students participated in the celebration of the visual arts at Johnston High,” said Murphy, who co-chairs the school’s fine arts program. “Students in grades nine to 12 participated and produced this show.”

“This show was spectacular and special from start to finish,” Principal Zachary S. Farrell said. “We are extremely proud of each and every student. Every piece was of the highest quality.”

There was one piece, though, that may have generated the most conversation and queries. McMahon, in fact, spent a lot of time explaining the multi-colored creation that greeted people as soon as they entered the exhibit.

It was a sculpture that McMahon explained “was inspired by the artist Frank Stella and was produced by the JHS 3-D III Class that studied his work and collaborated to construct the sculpture.”

“We are so proud of our students,” McMahon added. “Some 28 students worked individually on their pieces and then as a group to construct the sculpture.”

The show lasted more than two hours last Wednesday evening, and created so much interest the students’ works were on display throughout the school last week.

“We encouraged teachers to bring their classes for viewing,” Murphy said. “The exhibition provides an opportunity to showcase student talent, but it also invites conversation and sharing of ideas about art.”

Murphy – who had seven students in the finals of U.S. Rep. James Langevin’s recent Congressional Art Competition that was won by Johnston High junior Laura Wilson – added: “Interpretation is affected by our life experiences and therefore, we can ‘read’ a painting or sculpture differently and have out multiple interpretations be valid.”

Murphy continued: “[The show] encourages the community to get involved while parents, siblings, and friends get to honor their students’ work and former students have the opportunity to visit and see what is produced during the current year.”