Every Child is an Artist: VdM Art Show at Reese Gallery
This past Saturday, Villa di Maria celebrated with an art exhibition, Every Child is an Artist. The quote, inspired by Pablo Picasso's quote, Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up, plays on the Montessori philosophy that children live in a natural state of curiosity and it is at first the process of art that is important. We adults tend to focus more on the finished product than the process, but to a child, it is the learning and the doing that means the most (until the child grows older, of course)! This art show was a great opportunity to present some glimpses into the process (the Primary children's artwork) as well as the more deliberate art that was created by the Lower and Upper Elementary students. It was a wonderful success for our little community!
Ruth Reese and Tim Gebauer, Villa di Maria parents, artists, and gallery owners of Reese Gallery, which is located in the colorful Cherokee Arts Neighborhood just off Antique Row, so graciously hosted the opening. They renovated the building after it had been abandoned for more than 20 years, back in 2014. The space is beautiful - from the light-filled front room with finished wood floors, to the cozy second room where refreshments and appetizers were served. Tim's studio is upstairs from the gallery.
The Villa di Maria Art Show, which was open from 12 - 4pm on Saturday, drew a great crowd, from staff and students to parents and grandparents and friends! Both Lower and Upper Elementary students took shifts welcoming the guests as they arrived.
Above: guests enjoying the paper mosaics from Megan Eilers' Lower Elementary
Below: Some beautiful paintings from the Children's House
Above: Mobiles from Anna Schwind's Lower Elementary
Below: Left: Children's House paintings; Right: Framed design work from Anna Schwind's Lower Elementary
Above: A few of the Upper Elementary Photographs (see some of the process here) The Upper Elementary students also prepared artist statements of which they were quite proud!
Ruth Reese's pottery was also for sale, with 100% of all proceeds going back to Villa di Maria. What beautiful work, and such a generous gift! At the top of the display case are a few more Upper Elementary photographs.
The Lower Elementary students prepared some delicious food, and Anna Schwind so graciously delivered it to the show (along with Hilary Lord, who filled out the offerings of refreshments and snacks). The food was a hit among all ages!
He did it.
Starting at 2pm, certain Lower Elementary students performed for the crowd. There was a poetry reading, a violin performance, and even a puppet show! The Upper Elementary students also performed later that afternoon.
Thank you to all the families who came out to support their children, to the staff who worked so hard behind the scenes (and especially to those who put in extra hours after work), to all the children who put their all into their artwork and performances, and most of all, to Ruth Reese and Tim Gebauer, who not only offered up their space and time, but also did an amazing job hanging all the artwork and welcoming us all into their beautiful gallery. We are such a lucky community!