20^TH ANNUAL MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE REGIONAL EXHIBIT OF HIGH SCHOOL ART

 

(GARDNER) — Over 300 pieces of artwork created by students from sixteen area high schools are on display at Mount Wachusett Community College during the 20^th annual MWCC Regional Exhibit of High School Art. The exhibit will be shown from Mon., Apr. 1 — Fri., Apr. 12 in the East Wing Art Gallery.

Each year, the exhibit showcases the works of between 15 and 17 local high schools. With about 300 pieces each year, collectively, the annual high school exhibit has featured about 6,000 pieces of artwork over the last twenty years. "It usually takes two or three days for the art department faculty to set up the exhibit," said Gene Cauthen, art department chair and gallery curator. Cauthen has been at MWCC for all twenty years of the exhibit.

"As a non-profit art venue, we promote and display works of art whose main objective is not commercial, but serves the individual as part of their own intellectual development," said Cauthen. "We are proud to display the artwork of local high school students and serve as a venue to showcase their work, the result of their creative development and self-expression. The ultimate goal of the exhibit is to recognize the important work of art teachers and their students, encourage individual growth, and to be as inclusive as we can in doing so."

The following schools are participating:

The Bromfield School
Cushing Academy
Fitchburg H.S.
Gardner H.S.
Lunenburg H.S.
Mahar Regional H.S.
Monadnock Regional H.S.
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical H.S.
Murdock H.S.
North Middlesex Regional H.S.
Oakmont Regional H.S.
Quabbin Regional H.S.
St. Bernard’s H.S.
Thayer H.S.
Wachusett Regional H.S.
Murdock H.S.

Awards will be distributed to juried competition winners during a reception for students, parents, and teachers on Thurs., Apr. 11, from 6 p.m. — 8 p.m. in room 182. Ten cash awards of $50 will be awarded as well as a large number of Honorable Mentions. "I’m glad that we can serve as a resource to area high school art programs by offering the exhibit and reception to high school students, teachers, and parents every year," said Cauthen.

The East Wing Art Gallery hours are from 8:30 a.m. — 9 p.m., Mon. — Thurs. and 8:30 a.m — 5 p.m. on Fri.