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Area students show art at the Bloomingdale museum

Students from Bloomingdale, Glendale Heights, Carol Stream and Roselle will feel like real artists for the next month as their masterpieces hang in the Bloomingdale Park District Museum.

The museum’s 30th annual Student Art Show opens Saturday, March 9, and continues through April 13. The community is invited to view the work of youth from local grade schools, middle schools and high schools.

“It’s exciting to see the approaches of work from high school down to first grade,” said Diane Duffy, one of the show’s curators. “Parents love seeing their children’s work of art, as well as the rest of the family.”

When asked whether she’s noticed any trends over the years, Duffy said that “items are presented more professionally, including matting. When teachers see how other students present their work, it raises the level up a notch. Children are doing more in their projects, producing more quality work.”

Marjorie Reinhardt, who teaches art at Roselle Middle School after 33 years at Westfield Middle School, has students exhibiting in the show.

“I always enjoy seeing how creative the youth are and the new things they produce year to year,” Reinhardt said.

This year, the show will include three-dimensional art, watercolor, oil, pastels, pastel pencils, papier-mâché, pastel pencils, linocut, charcoal and graphite prints.

One of Reinhardt’s former students is Westfield art teacher Deyana Matt, who has been teaching sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade art for more than six years.

With a degree in art education and communicative disorders, as well as a master’s in educational technology, she draws out the very best from her students.

“Each year I choose approximately 30 works of art that represent the culture of Westfield Middle School, a fair representation of both boys and girls and of all the grade levels, as well as the various ethnicities in our school,” Matt said.

“When selecting the works of art for the annual show, I also not only select works of art which represents students whose talents excel in my art room, but also students who will benefit both socially and emotionally — based on being selected for the show,” Matt added.

“Overall, I focus my selections on positive aspects the arts hold in the students’ lives, be that in their skill or their self-esteem.”

A free reception for the exhibition is 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at the museum, 108 S. Bloomingdale Road, with a special attraction for younger visitors. Mr. Twister, balloon artist and entertainer, will make free balloon characters.

“Even the smallest family members enjoy the show with Mr. Twister. Just a colorful show! It’s a blessing,” Duffy said.

If you go

What: Student Art Show

When: Saturday, March 9, to April 13; free reception from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 17

Where: Bloomingdale Park District Museum, 108 S. Bloomingdale Road

Hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays

Cost: $1 for residents, $2 for others, 50 cents for seniors 62 and older and children 12 and younger

Info: (630) 539-3096 or bpdmuseum@bloomingdaleparks.org

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