The Rural Arts Collaborative (RAC) of Washington County will be celebrating the works of students created through artist-in-residency programs from several schools in Washington County. Funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation the Rural Arts Collaborative was formed to work with high schools, middle, elementary, and alternative schools in Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties to place teaching artists in classrooms with teachers and students, and to enhance and support the arts education curricula schools, and ultimately place artwork created by students throughout the area. Washington High School, Park Elementary, IU1 Educational Campus at Clark, and McGuffey Middle and High School were the schools participating in this phase of the project.
James Simon, renowned Pittsburgh artist, worked with Washington High School students to create a number of ceramic legs as part of their art classes. The final student sculptures will be installed throughout various sites in the City of Washington, including one at Wash High and one at Citizens Library. Dr. Roberta DiLorenzo, Superintendent of Washington School District stated: “What an amazing year it was to see James and the students working on artwork that would eventually be recognized throughout the City. The project gave the students a sense of ownership and pride about their work, and totally enhanced their arts education experience.”
Hiromi Katayama, famous Japanese water colorist and resident of Washington County, had McGuffey students work in teams to create traditional Japanese panel art. Students had to study Japanese culture and make their own paint using Japanese traditional methods. One of these panels will be dedicated to Citizens Library, one will remain at McGuffey, while several others will circulate in the city of Claysville. Dr. Erica Kolat, Superintendent of McGuffey School District said: “We were absolutely thrilled to have Hiromi with us for an entire academic year. Not only did her instruction enhance and support the art curriculum, but students learned to understand and respect another culture – an amazing project for us.”
Laura Jean McLaughlin, nationally known mosaic, mural and ceramic artist from Pittsburgh, worked with students at Park Elementary to create mosaic murals which are permanently displayed at Washington High School. She was also responsible for creating the mosaic mural which was just recently installed at the Farmer’s Market location on Main Street, although this was part of another community development project for the City of Washington.
Dianne Addams, mural artist, worked with the IU1 Educational Campus at Clark in Washington to create decorative murals on the walls inside of the school, which also served to provide a warm and welcoming environment in the school. They will also be creating an installation piece that will be done later this summer. Craig Hummell, Principal of Clark, commented: “This project and Dianne have both been a blessing for our school. It’s given our students a sense of commitment, ownership and self-esteem, and they cannot wait to be recognized.”
Dr. James Denova, VP of the Benedum Foundation had this to say: “This is the type of project that is at the heart of our Arts-in-Education strategic initiative. School districts, teachers, students and artists working together to create art to enhance their communities and development student cognition and well-being. Kudos to the Rural Arts Collaborative for making this a success.”