Newfield students’ artwork on display

The pandemic put a stop to the annual Newfield student art show last year and threatened to do the same this year, but the town’s library came to the rescue.

Megan Conner, Newfield Central School art teacher and Art Club adviser, said traditionally, the annual show takes place at the high school in May.

“That didn’t happen last year due to COVID because the school was entirely remote, and this year, we weren’t able to hold one at the high school due to limitations on visitors in the building,” she said. “So, when [Newfield Public Library Board member] Glen Caslick reached out to me about doing a show at the library, I was elated.”

The show, which has been on display since May 28, will run through June 23.

“We are thrilled to have it here for the community to enjoy,” said Newfield Public Library Director Sue Chaffee. “The last year has been tough on everyone, and this is a way for community members to come out and support our students.”

Conner said about 50 students from Newfield middle and high schools have work on display.

“Most of the work is from students currently enrolled in art with me,” she said. “But there are a handful of pieces from members of my Art Club.”

Students were encouraged to select their own work, Conner said, “so the work represents the students’ choices.”

But, she said, some of the work is grouped based on themes students explored in art class. Among the examples Conner gave included “scratchboard animal illustrations, creative reinterpretations of the color wheel, printmaking and upcycled vinyl records that my students repurposed to create paintings.”

“There are also a number of digital artworks that were made by students learning virtually this year,” she said.

Conner said she is “incredibly proud of how hard my students have worked this year.”

“I hope this show gives them a sense of pride in showing their best work to the community, especially after such a strange and difficult school year,” she said. “Despite all the challenges — restrictions on sharing art materials, for example, and very limited time to create art together in the classroom — my students have shown an amazing amount of creativity, and I think that’s reflected in the variety of works in the show.”

Connor hopes that, by showing the student work at the library, it will create an opportunity for greater community engagement.

“Normally, the art show is only on display for a matter of days, and it can be difficult for people to view it,” she said. “The show at the library, however, will be up for nearly a month, so I hope this allows for a wider audience within the community to see and appreciate the students’ work.”

Chaffee noted that people who view the art can vote for their favorite piece, and the three students with the most votes will win a prize.

“The library would like to thank all of our student artists and the school for sharing this collection with the community,” she said.

Conner said she was grateful the Newfield Public Library offered a venue for the students to share their work.

“This library is truly a gem. They have such a wonderful staff, and I’m always so impressed with the variety of programs they offer,” she said. “I’m thrilled to partner with them to bring this show to the community and look forward to working with them in the future.”

The library is open from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information about the library, including its curbside pickup and availability for browsing, call (607) 564-3594, email newfieldlibrary@gmail.com or visit its website at newfieldpubliclibrary.org.