Chapin Artists on Display
By E. Mendelsohn
 On April 18, Chapin hosted its annual art show. Parents, teachers and students viewed Chapin student artwork posted along the walls of the Gordon Room and the first and fifth floor hallways. All students who have taken art during the year contributed a piece. Parents joined their daughters before the start of school for a brief reception to celebrate the opening.
The art show reflected the wide variety of artistic expression and resources available to Chapin students through the Visual Arts Department. Students created paintings, woodwork, photography, clay sculpture and more under the tutelage of department head Duane Neil and art teachers Marianne Brand and Dana Frankfort, recently awarded a Guggenheim fellowship. Some projects capitalized on the artistic resources of New York City; Upper School students created sculptural paintings in the style of Robert Rauschenberg after visiting an exhibit of his work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Many projects emphasized the integration of arts in the academic life at Chapin. Kindergarten students learned about symmetry by making beaded necklaces, and Class 4 students created fossils to complement their study of earth science. Gallery visitors marveled at the girls’ ability to mine their academic studies as a source of self-expression.
In the words of Mr. Neil, who has taught art at The Chapin School for 25 years, this show serves “to celebrate the wonderful work the girls do and to share the strong program we provide with the parents and the community.” Most of the artwork will remain up for the duration of the school year.
Click here to view a selection of pieces from the show. |
