Made with yellow, pink and black Starburst candy wrappers, it looks like something Lady Gaga would wear. But Lady Gaga will have to wait. The creation of Wilton High School fashion art student Grace Amione, the award-winning dress will be on display first at Wilton Library as part of a district-wide student art exhibit. It kicks off with an opening reception Monday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The exhibit includes 500 pieces of artwork, from paintings to masks, sculptures, multi-dimensional installations and fashion designs. It will be at the library throughout May.
Grace, a junior, won Honorable Mention for the Starburst cocktail dress at the Connecticut Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in January.
"She couldn't think of what to make, so she just started twisting these candy wrappers together and it turned into a dress," said Janet Amione of her daughter's fashion work. "It took hundreds of the Starburst wrappers to make it."
"This dress is one of my favorites, it's so colorful and creative, but there are so many wonderful works art works of all kinds in this exhibit," said Wilton High art teacher Tracy O'Hara, who was bringing some of the exhibit's pieces to the library Thursday. "These kids are so talented. It's great they are going to see their work on display."
Rusty Hurd, instructional leader for the art department at Wilton High School, said the annual exhibition has grown over the years and has become more sophisticated.
"The level of creativity among our students is outstanding," said Hurd. "That's because our art students are committed full time to their particular specialties, and it shows."
Hurd said unlike music and theater students, who can showcase their talents in concerts and shows, "this exhibit is our showcase. It's the one time our art students can see their work displayed publicly."
Some younger students said even having a small piece of art in the exhibit is exciting.
"Wow, look, they have my fish up there," said 9-year old Anna Thornton, a third-grader at Cider Mill School, who found a small ceramic fish she made hanging on the library lobby wall among dozens of others on display. "I really love the animal masks and all the glitter too," she said.
O'Hara said there's "something for everyone to see at this exhibit," pointing to a three-dimensional installation by a group of high school students. It was made out of recyclable garbage. "Look, there's shredded paper, colorful fabrics, candy wrappers, lunch bags and just about anything else you can think of ....but somehow it all comes together. That's what creating art is all about."
Do you think artists are valued highly enough in our society? Leave a comment below and let us know if you have any favorite artists.
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