Young Art Of The Satellite Gallery
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- Created on Wednesday, 13 April 2022 00:24
- Written by Hailey Morgan
Lyndonville-Satellite Gallery like many others is just starting to re-establish its orbit from covid times, and the nonprofit welcomes the month of April with some new art created by a young group of people.
"We started as a pop-up, we had a group from downtown Lyndonville. We wanted to put art in the windows, and buildings were empty. The woman who owned this building said 'I'd love some art in my window.' We said 'great,'" Satellite Gallery Curator, Martha Elmes said. That's where the Satellite Gallery got its start on 71 Depot St. It has now been a part of Lyndonville for almost three years. "We did two pop-up shows in two different months. Then we decided 'let's make it a real thing.' So we called it the Satellite Gallery because the whole idea of the satellite is that it brings things in and it also reaches out."
Before covid times the non-profit also used the space for live music, art classes, as well as its usual art displays. Elmes says the organization hopes those activities will start to pick up again as things are just starting to feel somewhat normal. With this new sense of normalcy the gallery decided to bring back the Kingdom East School District art show for a second time. More than 65 students submitted pieces from all seven schools. Ranging from first grade all the way through middle school. "We are a community organization, having the schools be a part of this is really important," Elmes explained. "For a kid to come in and actually see their art in a gallery, it's fun."
"You know, because it's a district wide show we are sharing the space with all the schools. So we are kind of limited to 20 pieces and under to bring, and that's always hard to choose. So I often have students help me choose things. I lay them on the table and I'm like, 'pick out something you think is good,'" Kingdom East Art Teacher Carol Mason explains. She says this gallery is a great opportunity for kids to show their skills. It also encourages them to do art outside of a classroom. Each piece can take up to two weeks to a month for kids to finish. More than 10 of Mason's students submitted a piece to her this year. "Some kids volunteer their work, and others, I ask them."
"You can count every single name on every single piece of art as a different name," Elmes said. More than 30 art pieces were shown at this year's event. Kingdom East Art teacher Alyssa Palumbo says kids take pride in their work. "Yeah they definitely show excitement about it. They feel proud, and they want to tell other people about it, which is inspiring." Millie D'ambra is in fourth grade, and her piece is called the flower tree. She got her inspiration from looking outside. Her mother Alissa D'ambra says it's great to have a school district that cares to put on special events like this one. "It's very special and very involved. It's nice to have a school district that prioritizes our kids, and their wants and needs in art and music. Both are something all of them really enjoy and love. They're getting a really good program."
Elmes explained this show would not be possible if it weren't for the help of teachers. "I was an art teacher in this same district for 40 years. To see the continuation of the programs being so strong in the schools is really important." The art gallery is planning on doing something like this again next year, and will continue to work with schools in its community. "The art gallery for a child, it's the sense of pride. They are a part of a group, and what they did has value."
