Hands-on Art Wrap Up

This post is a second in a two part series. Check out the first here! 

The sounds of early nineties dance hits filled the silkscreen studio last week as students from Kingston High School created their own editions of screen prints. The young artists picked up the process fast, often printing two different sets of prints, and getting into a rhythm with their work music. Some even decided to head down to the etching studio for a change of pace. All of the studios were bustling and abuzz for a productive and exciting final day of WSW’s Art-in-Education program, Hands-On Art.

In the etching studio.

After spending one day a week for three weeks in the studio, Hands-On Art students had the option of returning to their favorite studio.  For this particular group, it was a toss-up between the etching and silkscreen studios. And for those looking to try something new: a mini bookmaking workshop was held in the papermaking studio, led by studio manager Chris Petrone.

Studio Manager Chris Petrone leads the bookmaking class.

In the silkscreen studio.

This final day was a great opportunity for the young artists to explore their newfound printmaking skills and create some refined work. And this batch of students did just that, producing some beautiful and thought provoking pieces. “They do have things to say,”  commented Alison Byrnes, resident-artist and silkscreen instructor, “They’re coming up with issues that I wouldn’t have expected.” Topics such as racial prejudice, gay rights, and school cliques, were the focus of some of the pieces.

Work from the silkscreen studio.

Work from the etching studio.

At the end of the day, the students packed up their work and headed back to school for a group critique and some finishing touches. The students left with an abundance of new knowledge, not only about WSW and its studios, but about themselves as artists.

Hands-On Art will conclude with an exhibition of the student work on Saturday, December 7th from 5pm-7pm at the Kirkland Hotel in Kingston. The exhibition runs from December 7th to December 18th. Please join us in celebrating these wonderful young artists!

For more information, check out the event on Facebook.