St. Mary-St. Michael students dive into art

They visit Yale Art Gallery, take part in after-school art classes 

Last week I visited St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby to observe an after-school art program.
I was impressed with the artwork being created with acrylic paints under the watchful eyes of Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo and Vice President Steve DiRienzo.

A story about the six-week art program, funded by the Orange-based Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation, appears in today's Register. The program featured a trip to the Yale Art Gallery, where the fourth through eighth graders saw works by Picasso, van Gogh and more.

Here's a sampling of the students and their work. Photos by Patti Villers

Fifth-grader Genesis Brito, 10, of Derby, works on a painting of her dog following the style of Vincent van Gogh. Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo of Derby works with her classmates in the background.

Fifth-grader Emily Tokash, 10, of Hamden, paints the sun. 

Valley Arts Council Vice President Steve DiRienzo of Derby, far left, works with art students.

Fourth grader Elizabeth DeCrisanti, 10, of Waterbury, works on her abstract painting in the cubism style.

 

This is some of the prep work performed by DiCarlo and DiRienzo before the class. They said they get the paints ready to save time during the lesson.

You can take a closer look at all the artwork and attend a reception for the budding artists at 7 p.m. Friday at the Valley Arts Council's Gallery@37, 37 Elizabeth St., Derby.
You won't be disappointed.