Medford Students’ Artwork on Display at River’s Edge

By Jennifer Cheng DesAutels

Celebrating its seventh year, the acclaimed Medford Children’s Art Showcase will be on exhibit from Febrary 8-26, 2016. About 400 pieces of art from third grade and seventh grade students throughout Medford will be on display. A wide range of artwork from Brooks Elementary, Columbus Elementary, McGlynn Elementary, Roberts Elementary, Andrews Middle School and McGlynn Middle School will highlight the creativity and technique of young artists in different stages of artistic development.

Started in 2009, this exhibit offers a unique opportunity for Medford students to exhibit their artwork outside of the classroom. Young artist Lindsey Quinn of the Columbus Elementary School participated in the 2015 exhibit. “I feel proud that my artwork [was] shown at the Medford Children’s Art Showcase and I think it’s cool that it’s a show for all the third graders in all of Medford.” Lacey Intoppa, a 7th grader at Andrews Middle School, looks forward to this year’s exhibit. “I think the artwork being shown in public is a great idea because a lot of the kids at the Andrews are very talented and artistic,” she says. “Middle school kids can be very emotional and they can express themselves in their art, which others can relate to.”

This year’s seventh grade work will include sketches resulting in the recently unveiled River Life Mosaic project, and bold illustrations of desserts in the style of Wayne Thiebaud. Third graders will exhibit shimmering underwater scenes, dynamic patterned animals, colorful gumball machines, watercolor leaves, color wheel umbrellas, and more.

As in previous years, art teachers from all Medford Public Schools were invited to submit student work. The exhibit is noncompetitive and inclusive, so that over the years, every child in the Medford Public Schools has an opportunity to participate. This exhibit has grown since 2009 from 29 pieces to hundreds from across the city.

Due to closure of the Meadow Glen Mall, the exhibit sought and found a new home at the River’s Edge Office Building in Medford. Just before leaving office, former Mayor McGlynn facilitated a new partnership with River’s Edge, so that students will not miss out of taking part this year. Meadow Glen Mall had generously hosted the exhibit for five years.

The showcase will be free and open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A reception for the artists, teachers, and families will take place after hours during public school vacation week, Thursday, February 18, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Local sketch artists will be donating quick-portraits and talented Medford High School student Fatima Lemos will give a short vocal performance.

The Medford Children’s Art Showcase is supported in part by a grant from the Medford Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Donations of supplies can be made at www.dickblick.com/ara/6278. 100% of donations directly support the 2017 exhibit. The exhibit is coordinated by local volunteers.