AHS artists did not have a venue for their art this year, but resourcefulness and community support helped them pull through. The 2010 art show was held in the newly revitalized art building on May 26th and 27th.
Panels and boards filled with photographers’ work lined the first and second floor hallways. Each photographer had work to his or her name, often with a unifying theme. Some displayed natural landscapes while others exploited the wonders of selective color use, focus, and photo editing software. A slideshow of photographs ran for the entire two hours in Rm 130 as Rachel Hubbard stood proudly by: “I’m very pleased with the turnout, the lobby looks fabulous, and I’m very impressed with everyone’s work. ”
Ceramic sculptures with colorful glaze, ranging in shape from teacups to demons, sat on display in Sarah Samonsky’s art room. A small town of ceramic houses adorned a table in one corner. Sketches and paintings filled the wall and several display panel boards. Paper mache critters kept watch on the back counter, warning visitors with a “Do Not Touch – Avatars Will Bite” sign. Samonsky’s thoughts on the art show spoke volumes: “I’m too tired to think.”
Deirdre Shibano’s room held more book displays, but the main attraction was the painting and sketching of her students. The mixed medium works held a huge range of subject matter, with everything from human profiles to monsters to lily pads. As usual, Shibano had some quotable thoughts on the matter: “I think these kids are amazing… they’ve done a lot of work for kids with no experience [her basic art classes].”
Books with fine metalwork covers and hand-bound pages were on display in glass cases and on tables. Art students mingled with parents and student art appreciators.
The art deco murals on the lobby walls and doorways, the final products of the lobby revitalization project headed by Samonsky, themselves were a beautiful display of 1920s and 30s style artwork. The talented muralists, last years’ advanced art students, showcased themselves in matching white T-shirts that read: Muralists – “We Paint Walls.”
The dedication ceremony for the revitalized art building took place at 7 pm on the first night of the show.
Samonsky honored community artist, parent, and teacher Lisa Norman for her extensive time and guidance in this huge endeavor (the entire community bulletin board outside the Little Theater is dedicated to Norman’s thank-you notes and sketches). Samonsky also spoke highly of the two dozen or so student muralists smiling to themselves on the rim of the stage. She commended the Albany Education Foundation for their generous grant for the revitalization project and continued dedication to the Albany schools. AEF representatives replied that they were glad to support the “long tradition of murals in this building.”
Albany High administrators, in turn, honored Samonsky for her dedicated efforts. Principal Ted Barone attested, “When Sarah came to me with this project, I knew my prime role was to say ‘Yes’ and then get the heck out of the way.” Assistant Principal Susan Charlip had two words to offer: “Bravo Sarah!”
