Date: Fri 22-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Expressions-Duracell-Hunter

Full Text:

"Expressions" From A Younger Crowd

(with photos)

BY SHANNON HICKS

BETHEL -- In his State of the Union Address on January 19, President Clinton

urged Americans to continue to support artistic ventures for all ages. Two

local artists, the owners of The Art Spot in Brookfield, a school for artistic

creation and adventure at all levels, understand exactly what the President is

talking about. The couple began their own quest of bringing art into the

corporate world over a year ago. Their latest effort is currently on view at

Duracell's World Headquarters in Bethel.

Joanne and Bruce Hunter, the owners of The Art Spot, are major advocates of

what they call "human expression."

"Art is not an indulgence," the couple believes. "Human creativity exists in

everyone. Children who are given the chance to explore creativity through art

will develop an ease with it. ... Through children's art you are being offered

another way to see into the spirit of human expression," the Hunters wrote

recently.

Following their own initiative of bringing art to the public, the Hunters have

taken the idea of teaching art one step further. The Hunters are currently

presenting the second show of artworks done by The Art Spot students -- this

time of child students -- at Duracell. Aptly titled "Expressions: a children's

art exhibit," the show will remain on view through March 31. (Their first

venture with Duracell was presented during the final quarter of 1998, when The

Art Spot hosted a show of artwork by its adult student-artists.)

"This is a recognition of the natural human expression, rather than having art

be something academic," Bruce Hunter said the morning after the show opened.

"Children can have valid human experiences, just like adult artists can, and I

think Duracell should be commended for actually seeing this and being able to

display it this way."

The exhibition had an opening reception on January 7. The halls off the main

entrance of Duracell have been decorated with nearly 30 pieces of work,

artwork in all mediums, and the corridors were full of artists, their family

members and friends who joined them in seeing the show put together for the

first time. The artists range in age from 6 to 16, and all are current or

previous Art Spot students.

There are acrylics on canvas and acrylics on board, oils on canvas, chalk

pastels, linoleum block prints, conte drawings (drawings done with very waxy

crayon-like pencils), and two styles of collages. There are a few structural

mixed media pieces, which are collages that are 3-D in form thanks to the use

of materials like corrugated cardboard or tubes, and traditional paper

collages.

Not all pieces on view were created specifically for the show. A few had been

done as far back as three years ago, long before the Hunters were thinking of

bringing children's art into the corporate world. Nevertheless, the work

remains fresh and enjoyable.

"This is not a show-driven collection of art," Joanne Hunter said. "But, this

will be a memory [these kids] can keep for the rest of their lives."

"The focus is on them," Bruce Hunter added, "which is really quite a wonderful

thing. I think it's a great validation of their great artistic experience."

Chris O'Brien is one of the former Art Spot students with art in the show. A

Newtown resident, Chris is a sophomore at Holy Cross in Waterbury. He has a

paper collage called "Floral" and one of the few block prints in the show,

called "Golden Cat." Both pieces, he explained, were done a few years ago, but

he was still happy to have them chosen for the show.

Students represented in the show live within the area -- Bethel, Brookfield,

Danbury, New Milford, Newtown, Ridgefield and Roxbury. The show is a wonderful

profile of what children can achieve in a stimulating environment such as the

one the Hunters provide. The works are a look into the minds of human beings

many adults tend to take for granted, and provides proof that children can

think on a much higher level than generally imagined.

"I think we all respond to art work because we understand it," Mr Hunter said.

"Children's art is generated right from the soul, right from their heart, and

I think that's what we respond to so greatly in children's art."

While "Expressions: a children's art exhibit" remains on view through March 31

at Duracell World Headquarters, viewing is by private appointment only. Call

Bruce and Joanne Hunter at 775-4224 or 740-2801 to set up a convenient time to

enjoy the exhibition.