Motion and transportation — featuring wings, wheels, rails and water — are featured themes for an array of mixed media works created by Mount Madonna School (MMS) middle and high school students for a public exhibition in January and February. Using tempera paint, watercolors, pastels and paper, students have created an array of colorful paper kites, images showing various modes of transportation and evocative landscapes of Santa Cruz County. A selection of the work will be exhibited at the Pacific Avenue offices of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission from January 1 through February 28.
Sandy Shaw, middle school art teacher and a local Pajaro Valley artist, was contacted by the agency to see if she might be interested in exhibiting some of her own artwork in the space. Ever on the lookout for ways to get her students’ work out into the public realm, Shaw instead asked the agency to consider hosting an exhibition of MMS student work. ‘They were interested in exploring the idea of showcasing student work,’ Shaw explained, ‘although they were initially hesitant as they had only featured the work of professional artists before, and wanted to be sure the student work would be up to their criteria and standards.’
Shaw suggested three project themes: ‘Up, Up and Away’, art pieces that were about movement — and for which the students, sixth through eleventh graders, created colorful kites; ‘Going, Going Gone,’ two-dimensional works depicting various modes of transportation; and a landscape series, ‘Scenes of Santa Cruz.’
As students started completing pieces, Shaw began sending in photographs of the works for the agency to consider.’‘The response was really positive,’ said Shaw, ‘and they approved going forward with a student exhibition — their first one ever! MMS has talented students with amazing passion for creating art. I want to support them in having their work out there publicly and getting them the recognition and praise that is so well deserved.’
A’First Friday’ reception for the artists and public is planned for February 6 from 5:00-7:00pm.
All MMS middle school students study art with Shaw. Her curriculum is rich in fine art subject matter and techniques. In addition to exploring an array of mediums, Shaw encourages each student to grow individually through his or her own personal art pieces.
‘It’s a pleasure teaching art,’ said Shaw. ‘I’m happy to give students a place where they can freely express their creativity, while supporting their individual growth and technique. There are a lot of students interested in pursuing careers in fine art — whether architecture, graphic design, painting, or something else — and it all begins with getting their art out there and having it seen.’#####
Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Marketing & Communications,
Nestled among the redwoods on 355 mountaintop acres, Mount Madonna is a safe and nurturing college-preparatory school that supports students in becoming caring, self-aware and articulate critical thinkers, who are prepared to meet challenges with perseverance, creativity and integrity. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville. 
