Giuliana Savini
Reporter
Located in Waveny Park, The Carriage Barn Arts Center is a a member-supported, non-profit organization that strives to present quality art to the community through a number of annual exhibitions. From March 13 to April 17, a collection of artwork from NCHS students will be displayed in their “Through Our Eyes” showcase. It features all types of media from the students of AP Photography, Advanced Digital Media, Studio Art, Documentary Photography and Photoshop Design.
In the past, the Carriage Barn has housed the work of professional artists from all across the country, and its history of compelling exhibitions has motivated and excited student artists. “I feel that I need to produce work that lives up to the standards of artists’ work that have been at the Carriage Barn in the past, especially since it’s a more professional setting. It’s nice to have a sense of pride in my work,” sophomore Abbie Stone, Documentary Photography student, said.
The Carriage Barn’s wide scope of viewers serve as a refreshing change of pace to the usual galleries at school. “One of the things I find most special about the Carriage Barn shows is that they’re local. I’ve submitted a couple of pieces to shows before and it’s always pretty cool when you randomly get complimented on them. It shows how many people actually go see the exhibition,” senior Joveto De Carvalho, AP Photography student, said
A broad variety of art, from paintings to sculptures to photographs, is being featured in the “Through Our Eyes” exhibition, though most of the work will come from the Advanced Digital Media students. Junior Megan Paul, AP Photography student, has submitted four of her best photographs. “The piece I am the most proud of is one of my portraits. It features my neighbor, a little girl, who contrasts the serious setting which she is in. It really draws your attention,” she said.
To ensure the level of quality in the exhibition, photography teacher Jeanne McDonagh is working with Curator and Exhibition Director Lydia Viscardi to handpick the pieces that will be displayed. “The art has to draw the viewer in. Theres gotta be something there that’s not just color on a flat surface, but rather something to make it pop. Students are working hard to find that ‘wow’ factor,” Ms. McDonagh said.
The professional setting of the Carriage Barn provides a great experience for the students artists. “Having students display their artwork is very important, because the artist and their work cannot live in a vacuum, it has to be experienced,” Ms. McDonagh said.
Ms. McDonagh indicated that the professional atmosphere will remain during this student exhibition, as their artwork seems live up to expectations. “Their work is really very excellent quality and I’ve seen a lot of student work, but theirs is exceptional,” Ms. Viscardi said.
The Carriage Barn is located at:
681 South Avenue (Route 124)
New Canaan, CT
Student art shown at the “Through Our Eyes” showcase. Photos by Giuliana Savini.
