Scholastic Gold Key Winners Announced!!!

Senior Artist/ Designer Anna Karpman 12' with her mentor, advisor, instructor Marisol Diaz, D-E art faculty.

Stephanie Moon 11' with her mother & artwork.

Alexis Inguaggiato 11', reciepient of Gold & Silver honors in both art & writing.

The droves of parents, artists and instructors filled the galleries at the Montclair Museum.

On a recent mid week evening, students, parents and teachers from at least 150 towns and 7 counties in New Jersey gathered in the austere auditorium of the Montclair Museum for recognition in the creative arts.  Among those present were Dwight-Englewood juniors Alexis Inguiagiatto (Gold and Silver Key awards in both art and writing) and Stephanie Moon (Gold and Silver Key awards for both painting and photography).  Anna Karpman, a current senior, was awarded the most prestigious prize for her whole portfolio.  Recognizing out of the box thinkers & innovators by selecting works to receive Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention honors through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is a strong aspect of their mission.

  For the past 89 years, the National Alliance for Young Artists & Writers has sought to encourage young writers and visual artists creative minds.  Marisol Diaz, art instructor of all 3 students and Gregg Emery, chair of the visual arts & art history program were also present to support, applaud and cherish these fine young artists.  The works of all 3 Dwight-Englewood Artists is currently being reviewed by the National Selection Committee.  Only 15 artists will be selected from this large national pool of talent,…results will be announced in mid-March.

Gary Schneider, Director of Education at the Montclair Museum and emcee for the evening spoke eloquently in regards to the jury process for selection in the exhibit, ‘Originality, technical skill, emergence of a personal voice,’ are what jurors look for in the works.  He also when on to state how important this recognition is when indeed in this contemporary world,…’artists and creative thinkers have a very important place at the table.’

Class of 2010 artists still shine brightly... at the Dwight-Englewood School

When Ms. Lachman approached me about choosing artwork for the soon to be redesigned library silent study space, there really was only one choice...Colin Alexander 10'.  For his focus project, Colin studied visual books, picture books and graphic novels...completing the project with his own original book that blurred the lines between the literary and the aesthetic.  He has loaned the originals to us for display...

Mr. Petkus, both his teacher and friend and now one of the directors of the library...was overwhelmed by the works as well as the color selection for walls and furniture that was inspired by Colin's works.  Colin is currently continuing his artistic journey at the prestigious, Maryland Institute, College of Art.

Drawings texted to me by Cooper Wright 10', part of an art project at Maryland Institute, College of Art.

Cooper asked if he and another former student of mine at D-E, Andrew Boskin could use the gallery for an 'installation' inspired by the drawing project he created in his fall semester work at MICA.

Cooper's ideas about House vs. Home and the questions about how we remember and what we do with those memories, what is our access? and what triggers those feelings? all came together in this simple, yet complex arrangement.  Cooper was particularly interested in these ideas after being a 'lifer' at Dwight-Englewood, then making the decision to spend a 'gap' year studying in Brazil before embarking on his artistic education at MICA.

Pictured here, Cooper Wright, Andrew Boskin and Isabella Giancarlo, all members of the auspicious Class of 2010!

Cooper answers questions from English faculty member, Diane Christian.

Opening Day visit by 8th grade a HUGE SUCCESS!!!

The New Year means intermester week in the middle school which also means an art history lecture to augment the studies of early American history of the 8th grade at Dwight-Englewood.  A quick trip over the George Washington Bridge and the 8th graders are soon led to the world reknowned Metropolitan Museum of Art and the opening day of the newly installed American Wing!!!!

First, lunches outside in Central Park, just beware of the bears...

Students enjoyed this masterpiece by Frederick Church and even made reference to the movie, the Mission...sometimes these kids amaze me and then other days, like this week, they are simply amazing!!!!

 

Students are led in small groups by teachers through each room and have time to explore on their own as well.  The time is divided between painting, sculpture and the 'period' rooms.

As in an experience at D-E, students are encouraged to think deeply, question and develop inferences based on all of their knowledge from each part of their rich education.

In the 'Oxbow' their science teacher even had them naming the different cloud formations.

A good pace, even time to take a moment to reflect on the overwhelming amount of visual information.

The 'crown jewel' of the renovation can be seen from nearly ever corner and gallery...Washington Crossing the Delaware was truly impressive, whether you were a teacher who has been so many times before or this was the very first brush with that momentous, symbolic retelling of the early days of this country.

During the pre-trip lecture, students watched parts of the video below that documents the elaborate recreation of the original frame...

and we also discussed 'reality' vs. 'propoganda' in artwork (to quote one student) and looked at a comparison of a newer version of Washington Crossing the Delaware which was also unveiled this week at the NY Historical Society in Manhattan.  See the full article below...
NY Times, 'Crossing the Delaware, More Accurately'

What a fabulous time at the Met,...an annual event that never seems to get old...especially in a year when the Met reinvented the American Wing itself!!!!

Lorena Estrella, 06' Printmaking show graces the Swartley Gallery

Clinton Carbon,(director of Multi-Cultural Affairs) Lorena and John Littlefield (Chair, Performing Arts) enjoy a moment in the gallery.

Lorena offers critique to Olivia Lim, 12'

Check out the video above to hear a little about Lorena's process....and stay tuned for more great art, artists, process and products from the wonderful world of art in Swartley and beyond!!!  Thanks Lorena!!  We are soooo proud of you and your work!

4th Grade Sculpture Garden adds Color & Beauty to the Campus

 

Lower School students critique outdoor sculpture before winter break...

Thanks to everyone involved including Ms. Garcia, Mr. Davies, Dr. Dejarnett and of course the 4th grade artists...

The sun sets on another amazing Lower School Art Project as Richard Heinrich's 

'Big Zoot Suit' 

 

 

watches over...

Lower School Student Shows off Sketchbook Skills

I was treated this fall to an amazing book,...Dylan, a 3rd grader shared his sketchbook first with his art teacher, Ms. Garcia then with me.  I personally love sketchbooks.  The passion, work, joy are all brilliantly revealed within the pages of this artist/ designer's tool for creative exploration.  At Dwight-Englewood we all keep sketchbooks for practice of skills and recording inspirations. 

I love this composition and linework...

Great Parrot Dylan!  You really captured a sense of motion.

What brilliant use of patterns and color!

 

Hope you enjoyed seeing Dylan's beautiful works as much as I did.  Check back in at the end of the month to see D-E students, alumni and faculty as they participate in an international sketchbook show.

SCULPTURES MAKE GRAND ENTRANCE, Yearlong on-campus exhibit begins...

The community is abuzz about the new sculptures on campus...

'In my 15 years at Dwight-Englewood, I have never heard so many discussions about art & sculpture.'

-longtime D-E faculty member

'WOW! I love that one!'

-D-E student

'...but what is it?'

-D-E student & faculty member simultaneously

'What a glorious collaboration, an eye opening moment in Dwight history...'

-D-E alumn

For this inagural sculpture exhibition the Dwight-Englewood School, along with parent and curator Kathy Leventhal, collaborated with the New York Sculptor’s Guild to bring 4 more sculptures to campus for the 2011-2012 academic year.  This loan is in addition to the 3 outdoor sculptures already adding to the beauty of the idyllic campus setting.

 

Head of School, Dr. Rodney DeJarnett with NY Sculptor,

Richard Heinrich.

As the sun sets, 'Big Zoot Suit' looks over Swartley and the Lower School.

A little help to put 'Knot,' by Howard Kalish into place by Graham House.  Special thanks our 'art movers & shakers' led by Harry Gordon,...to all of our campus 'crew' from Cindy, Bruce, Charlie, Kevin and Perry and everyone else I didn't remember... and of course our principals Peter, Kathy and Joe for all of their help and encouragement, from paperwork, to pouring cement, to the managing of the crane. Our head of school, Rodney and curator/ patron of the arts, Kathy for their vision and work ethic...thank-you!

'Bent Woman' by Sarah Haviland

'Tete a Tete' by Elaine Lorenz

Sculptures already permanently on our campus....

'Quarter Bent Over' by Paul Sisko

Jesse Greenberg 84’, Lovers Embrace, Epoxy resin on a steel and styrafoam armature , library

Cornelia Kubler Kavanagh, Vertical Edge Form, Bronze, located between Pope and Klein

A reception will be held on Sunday afternoon, April 22^nd, 2012 from 2-4 pm.  The reception will include a sculpture walk, live music and a lecture.