A Permanent Art Installation For Head O’ Meadow

By Eliza Hallabeck

Days after a schoolwide art project began at Head O’ Meadow, the project was finalized by the work of third grade students on Wednesday, January 13.

Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” painting was the inspiration for what will become a four-panel permanent installation in the school’s front foyer.

Students on Wednesday finished the four panels, covered with different colored tiles to re-create “Starry Night,” by helping to remove grout laid on the tiles to hold them in place.

Bruce Hunter, co-owner with his wife Joanne of the Art Spot on Route 7 in Danbury, told the third grade students in Donna Perugini’s art room on Wednesday, they were adding their touch to the project.

“The more you polish,” Mr Hunter told a group of students, “the brighter it will be.”

Mr Hunter said community works like the tile rendering of “Starry Night,” help students grasp the understanding of adding effort to a larger project. It also helps students see that their efforts are being admired by adults, he said.

“They really are capable of a tremendous amount,” said Mr Hunter.

The two center panels of the project, according to Mr Hunter, create a rendition of “Starry Night,” while the two outside panels have renderings of trees painted by van Gogh in other works. Mr Hunter mapped out the project for all to glue the pieces of tiles to the panels.

As different grade levels attended their art classes at the school, members of the Art Spot, parent volunteers, and their teachers helped them assemble the project.

At the Board of Education’s meeting on Tuesday, January 12, Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson told the school board members about her experience adding pieces to the installation Monday, January 11.

On Wednesday, Head O’ Meadow Principal William Bircher said any project that can bring students, parents and the community together is great.

“They’re just loving it,” said Mr Bircher about the students. “It’s a fantastic thing.”

The “Starry Night” project, an effort made possible by the school’s PTA, started as an idea of PTA Cultural Chair Ginny Bloomquist last school year.

Ms Bloomquist said the project would not have been possible without generous contributions from the school’s PTA, and it “was a wonderful way for both students and teachers to have made a permanent contribution to the school that people will be able to enjoy for years to come.”

“I hope the parents get a chance to stop by and see it,” said Ms Bloomquist.

Ms Perugini pushed for “Starry Night” to be the final product after she heard about the idea, and from there the project entered the hands of the students last week.

“They are all finding their own spot,” said Mr Hunter.

“I hope this will stay at the school and be remember forever,” said third grader Carly Swierbut.

Fellow third grader Katie Sailer said she thinks it is a cool project.

“It is really cool,” said third grader Jake Meyer, “and it is working out really well. And this is a really fun thing to do in art.”

The Art Spot, a school of fine arts, is available for school projects and more. To learn more about The Art Spot go to www.artspotinfo.com.