THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501130220
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
COLORFUL PAINTINGS BY great artists such as Picasso, Monet and Gaughin will soon decorate the windows of a local frame shop.
But these ``originals'' of Impressionistic art are more special than ever.
Nine students from Bayside Middle School's sixth-grade campus recently visited Ray Skinner Frames on Independence Boulevard to reproduce their favorite paintings on panes of glass. The reproductions will be set in the small windows that frame the store's entrance on Friday.
The sixth-graders who participated are members of the school's art club. Art teacher Judy Nottingham initially decided on the project for two reasons.
``I had this idea of going out and working with a business,'' said Nottingham, who is a fan of the city's Adopt-A-School program.
But the more important reason for Nottingham was based on the art activities schools did collectively during Youth Art Month. She said for many years, the students drew reproductions with chalk on the sidewalk in front of the Central Library.
The window-painting at the frame shop was a take-off on that. ``They're getting outside of the school and working out in the community,'' Nottingham said. ``They're expressing their talent and learning art history at the same time.''
The shop welcomed the students with open arms. Besides allowing them to actually do their painting in the facility, President Beverly Tehel gave the students a tour and showed them what framing involves.
``I wanted them to see what it takes to get their art work on the wall,'' she said.
Opening the store two hours early was not a problem for Tehel. ``I was an art student all through high school, and I know how much kids at this age love art,'' she said. ``I think it's a way to give back to them.''
Parents were invited to watch their children in action. ``I think it's a great idea for them to get to do something for the community,'' said Nancy Walker, whose son, Matthew, worked on a Gaughin.
Each student picked a volume of ``The Great Artists,'' a collection of works from famous artists, as a guide.
They all had different reasons for their choices. ``I have liked Vincent van Gogh since I was about 6 years old,'' said Markus Giacoman, who worked on a reproduction of ``Portrait of Doctor Gachet.''
Markus remembers seeing van Gogh paintings in his former elementary school. ``I just like his techniques,'' he added.
The students spread out sheets of newspaper on the carpeted floors of the business and took their rectangles of glass to their individual work stations. Some lay down, others sat up, but all nine students worked diligently and silently to create their masterpieces.
``These are true artists at work,'' Tehel whispered.
After the paintings are in the shop for a few months, the students will be able to take them home. ``They will forever have a memory of their sixth-grade art class,'' Tehel said.
Besides having a tangible representation of this experience, Nottingham hopes her students will have a lifelong appreciation for art. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MORT FRYMAN
Cris Boylan, a sixth-grader at Bayside Middle School, tries his own
glass-panel version of a Picasso entitled ``Self Portrait.''
Others who painted windows at Ray Skinner Frames were: Cristie Foca,
Markus Giacoman, Brook Lamb, Breon Outlaw, Amanda Ruiz, Dennis
Williams and Brandon Weldon.
LEFT: Matthew Walker works on a glass panel in his rendition of a
portrait by one of the masters.
RIGHT: Bayside Middle School art teacher Judy Nottingham prepares
paint for her students.
by CNB