The Atrium Gallery at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston Campus will host an opening reception on Sunday, May 19, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for the gallery’s next exhibition, Creative Collaborations: Honors Art Show ELHS 2024. The exhibition represents the work of 14 students in Edward Little Art Teacher Matthew Peinado’s 2024 Honors Art class.
Honors Art is conducted in an open studio format. Students research post-secondary art options and portfolio requirements, develop a rigorous semester plan with teacher-approved projects and goals, and work diligently and independently with teacher guidance and peer/teacher critiques to create a body of work based on class themes and personal concentration themes. Upon successful completion of Honors Art, students have a body of work suitable for exhibitions and inclusion in a college art portfolio.
The exhibition process began in fall 2023 and provided opportunities for heightened student engagement and learning in art with teacher-student collaboration and skill-building through mounting a professional show.
“Having Edward Little’s Honors Art exhibition at the Atrium Gallery continues to deepen USM’s relationship with the Lewiston Auburn community by showcasing local artists whenever possible,” said Netty Provost, USM’s Lewiston-Auburn Campus director.
Peinado has been a professional artist and art teacher for more than 20 years, working in the elementary, secondary and university settings. He is often heard telling his students that he believes art saved his life and he wants to bring that love of art to his students. He is originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, but has lived in Maine for 25 years. He currently works at Edward Little High School as an art teacher mainly working with drawing and painting.
Participating Edward Little students include Myesha Baker, Sophia Bourgoin, Julie Carpentier
Erik Carson, Emma Clark, Elijah Fogg, Ethan Gerry-Johnson, Hailei Hiscock, Kira Josephson, Madilyn Keep, Amelia Ross, Stella Smith, Nora Thompson, and Emma Willigar.
Creative Collaborations: Honors Art Show ELHS 2024, opens with a public reception on May 19 and runs through Friday, July 12. The Atrium Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is accessed through the main campus entrance at 51 Westminster Street.
Special thanks to the Share Center of Lewiston for a donation of materials used by ELHS to mount this exhibition.