“Beginnings”, Pomperaug Elementary School, Student Art Exhibit at Carole Peck’s Good News Café, Extended Through Monday, April 11th.

            “Beginnings”, a gallery show comprised of art work created by Pomperaug Elementary School (PES) students, at Carole Peck’s Good News Café in Woodbury, has been extended through Monday, April 11^th. 

            The Radio Room at the Good News Café was buzzing with excitement, Sunday, March 6 at a gallery reception to open the show.  Parents, teachers, students and members of the community joined together to celebrate art work created by 4^th and 5^th graders from PES. 

            The bright lime walls of the room are adorned with still life paintings created by 14 talented art students.  Visitors who view the art, can learn more about each artist by reading the student biographies that hang beside each painting.  The brilliantly colored art is further enhanced by the contemporary lighting that shines on it.

            “This is so exciting.” said Lisa Archie, the mother of one featured artist, Henry Archie. “What a treat for a Sunday afternoon, to go out with friends and view student art work in an actual gallery show.  I’m so proud of my son.  All of these kids are so talented.”  

            Students were asked to interpret a still life created from lemons, limes and oranges placed on a piece of fabric.  As fruit is fleeting, a photograph was taken of the arrangement and viewed from week to week.  “What came from this assignment, should

not be missed,” said PES Art Teacher, Nancy Neal.  “I thought the art was amazing to begin with, but to see the paintings all hanging side by side in a show is really inspiring.” 

            These students generally meet with Ms. Neal on Tuesdays before the start of school.  Aside from the acrylic paint and the 24” X 30” stretched canvasses the works are painted on, no two pieces are alike.  “Each work of art is as unique as the artist,” said Ms. Neal.

            10 year old Ruchita De calls her painting “Sparks”.  “You can almost see the sparks and swirls flying around in the background,” she said, describing her art work.  “The background is exciting, but the fruit still appears even brighter than the sparks and it jumps out at you.” 

            “Beginnings” is not the first Region 15 gallery show to be presented at the Good News Café.  According to restaurant owner and culinary expert, Carole Peck, the exhibit represents the youngest group of students ever to present their works at the Café and Gallery.  Ms. Peck said she is pleased to make the gallery space available once again to showcase the fine arts program of the Region 15 school district. 

            “We believe that to be a part of a community, you need to support that community,” said Ms. Peck.  “We are a restaurant that is not only interested in good food, but in the arts.  We love to see young people starting out, maybe with the goal of

becoming a professional artist one day.  We want to support them and enhance people’s life through the arts.”  Ms. Peck expressed thanks to Region 15’s Director of Fine Arts, Jane Sarjeant for sharing the student work with restaurant patrons.

            “We live in an amazing community,” said Tammy Conway, another parent whose daughter’s work is represented in the show.  “The turn out today, the interest in our kids and the generosity of the Good News Café, should be commended.”
            “It is pure joy to see families and friends come together to celebrate the outstanding work of these fine artists,” said Ms. Sargeant.  “I hope we have many more opportunities to extend student art beyond the walls of our schools.”

            The Good News Café is open Wednesday through Monday and closed on Tuesdays.  The following student artists are featured in the show:  Kimberly Crozier, “Aqua Waves”, Rebecca Beilinson, “Fire Blaze”, Mary Kaufman, “Checkers”, Mike Foley, “Looly”, Megan Kiran Nayar, “Blossoms of Color”, Shannon M. Conway, “Floating Glass”, Taylor Fleming, “Fruity Blue”, Derek Domogala, “Fruit Wave”, Jetika Kloth, “Juicy Spectacular”, Ruchita De, “Sparks”, Gabby Holguin, “Glowing Green”, Jessica Clayton, “Rainbow Fruit”, Emma Silverstein, “Purple Splash”, Henry Archie, “Check Mate”.