Sara Belknap, art teacher extraordinaire, did it again! Over the weekend she transformed our school into a museum showcasing the dazzling art from each and every one of our 420 students.
Please come to the Mathews Fine Arts Festival with Student Art Show:
Thursday, April 22, 5:00-7:00 pm.
The creativity does not stop with the art on the walls. The Mathews 6th grade band and orchestra will perform at 6:00. Bring the entire family to enjoy the reception and celebrate all that is artistic and musical at Mathews!
The school’s transformation to art gallery was made possible because of the 30 UT students and Mathews parents and staff who participated in this weekend’s Building and Grounds Workday. This hard working crew hung art, made the grounds beautiful and helped Mr. Rackowitz with preparations for Fairy Tale Theater. Thanks to Sandy Cartwright, Joanna Duncan, Brooke Gassiot, Julie and Asha Mani, Mary Baughman, David Belknap, Jean Adams, Jody Denberg, Susan Bell, The Foundation of International Medical Relief for Children, Forever Texas, Gamma Beta Phi, and Circle K International.
Support Fine Arts at Mathews
Looking around Mathews, you’ll see an abundance of art: the stunning world mural in the gym, the enchanting mandala in the back playground, the school bus mural that welcomes visitors at the front of the school. All these projects were made possible by the sale of art by Mathews students.
Last year alone, we raised $1,500 for the art department from sales at the first ever Mathews Student Art Show.
And we’re doing it again! This year the Mathews Student Art Show opens April 22, featuring artwork from all 420 Mathews students, and will remain on display until the middle of May. If your child would like to donate his/her displayed piece to the art department’s fundraising effort, please sign the permission form (click here to download) and return it in the Wednesday folder. Participation is optional. Proceeds will go toward on-campus art installations and classroom enrichment that nurtures the artist in every Mathews student.
Contact Brooke Gassiot (299-2254) with questions.
The Cool Culture of the 2009 Mathews Fine Arts Festival
The 6th Annual Fine Arts Festival on April 23rd, 2009, provided an incredible evening of cool culture at Mathews! With funky found-art sculptures and ceramic eye candy on display in the library, art lovers strolled halls lined with work from every Mathews student. The Sixth graders created another miniature Art Museum, with modeling assistance from UT engineering students and David Bell; this year’s creation, “SpARTan Museum,” was on display in the library.
In addition to the heady atmosphere of A-R-T in the house, attendees also enjoyed a special performance by the always amazing 6th Grade Band, under the dazzling direction of Darrell Wyatt; and the Orchestra, skillfully guided by Elizabeth Chappell.
Mathews parent Elizabeth Breston organized an Art Sale through the PTA that benefits the Art Program. (Elizabeth has a permanent storm going on in her brain for all things Mathews!) By the end of the night, the sale had already raised $1200 towards the next permanent art installation, guest artists, special supplies, and field trips. She also helped with curating, matting, and mounting the show.
This Art Show could never have been finished without Ruthann Rushing recruiting beaucoup UT volunteers. University students worked four weekends on the different tasks involved, managed by David Belknap and Susan Bell, aided by Jean Lopez, Mary Baughman, Don English, Craig Dahl, Julie, Asha, and Anjali Mani, and Paola.
The evening of the opening was such a joyful event, made especially special by Marcia Tugendhat, Emily Johnson, Deborah Horn, and all the thoughtful parents who baked (and bought) the most elegant spread of punch and sweets ever laid out in tribute at a Mathews party. I love the Art Show for the art, but also for all of the students, friends and parents who lend hand and heart to make it happen.
