It Runs in the Family

There was an exhibit going on Monday night downtown Des Moines at the Heritage Gallery, where they featured students' work. The Des Moines Register (major state paper) did a story on the event where they quoted my dad.

D.M. High Schoolers Showcase Their Artistic Creations
By Janet Klockenga • jklocken@dmreg.com • April 14, 2009

Art students from Des Moines high schools got a chance last week to feel like professionals during an opening reception for the Central Iowa Metro League's annual High School Art Exhibition at the Polk County Heritage Gallery downtown.

The juried event was a dressy affair, featuring punch, hors d'oeuvres and classical music played by a student string ensemble in the marble-floored gallery.

The exhibit, on display through Wednesday, includes the work of more than 50 artists: students from East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, Roosevelt, Central Academy, Scavo and Future Pathways schools.

North High School art teacher Bryan Butcher, who teaches two- and three-dimensional art and design and graphic arts, worked with fellow art teacher Catherine Chiodo to organize the event and hang the exhibit.

"Cathy Chiodo likes to make it more of a professional atmosphere, with a reception that has music and hors d'oeuvres," he said. "And we involve other teachers to get other disciplines involved. That makes it a very nice atmosphere and really adds to the whole thing."

Butcher said the exhibit is of work selected by art teachers; each may submit up to five pieces for the show. Students may enter work from anytime during the current school year. The schools involved work out a schedule each year to determine who sets up the show, he said.

"This is our showcase event for high schools," Butcher said. "You see a wide variety of work in this exhibit: drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramic pieces. I think this is the first time we've hung a T-shirt in the exhibit."

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