Growing a gallery

Few things could be more encouraging for a young artist than having an original creation put on public display.

Art teacher Deb Gelso plans to start a permanent gallery of student artwork in the coming school year with support from the PTA.

Ms. Gelso’s vision is to turn the main hallway leading from the office toward the gym into a showplace for two-dimensional art students create in class during the year. She would select a piece to represent each grade level and, if students and parents agree, the art would be matted, framed and hung. Art may be displayed permanently, or rotated periodically, Ms. Gelso said.

The PTA membership agreed to support the gallery by buying paint to freshen up the hallway and to buy the first six frames, for a total cost of $400 from the current year’s budget. Ms. Gelso’s plan includes adding six frames each year, an expense members indicated they would support in future budgets.

Buy buying the frames, the PTA is supporting the visual arts in much the same way it supports students’ talents through programs such as Reflections, Brainiacs and the Variety Show.