Scholastics Art Exhibition:
Art teachers annually submit the work of a number of RHAM Middle School students to the annual Scholastics Juried Exhibition at The Hartford Art School, The University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT. Art students from all over Connecticut compete for monetary wards and other recognition, as well as scholarships at the high school level to the Art School and elsewhere. Work that is admitted to the show can win a Gold Key or Silver Key as well as Honorable Mentions in various categories according to age and specific media. Gold Key winners' work is then entered into the national competition. The show is scheduled each year in January.

Again this year the work of RHAM Middle School students was entered into the competition. Mr. Merrill and Mrs. Keller selected the work of eight art students to be considered. This year two of our eight entrants won GOLD KEYS! Congratulations go to all selected.There are often over 2000 entries from 150 middle and high schools around the state. It is an honor just to have one's work selected for consideration. Those students who had work submitted visit the exhibition in January in conjunction with RHAM High School art students.

The exhibition runs from January 7 through February 5 at Slipe Gallery, Hartford Art School, University Of Hartford.

Decordova Sculpture Park:

One Saturday in October 05/06 some 35 students , faculty and parents visited Decordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln, MA. The 36 beautiful acres are home to a variety of large outdoor contemporary sculptures, some made for the park and others donated for a time. In addition, there is on the grounds a museum that features the work of prominant and noteworthy, emerging New England artists. A great little cafe in the museum provided lunch, and the museum store was stocked with beautiful and interesting items for sale. An encounter with such large sculpture in an outdoor setting was a new experience for many students. Our day at Decordova was enjoyed by all and inspired a little sculture park of our own. RHAM 8th graders created small 3-D sculptures based on their exposure to contemporary scultpure. Envisioning these pieces as large, like the ones at Decordova, the artwork was displayed in a glass case, complete with landscape details and photographs of the students themselves to scale, looking up at their own sculptures. See the photographs of the trip and follow the link to the resulting "RHAM Sculpture Park."

Trip to the Wadsworth Atheneum Rodin Exhibit:

In April of 05/06 90 students from Mr. Merrill's and Mrs.Keller's art classes attended the Rodin Exhibition at the Atheneum. Rodin was one of the 20th century's most influential and important sculptors. Students took a guided tour of about an hour and then had oportunity to explore some of the musem's other collections.

Sculpture Installations at RHAM Middle School:

A collaborative sculpture by forty-five of Mrs. Keller's 05/06 8th grade art students was put on display at the Middle School. The piece was based on the work of artist, Louise Nevelson, and was composed of mixed media, wood, wire, found objects,cloth, paper, etc. The sculpture was about half-scale and stood 7 1/2 feet tall and 3 1/2 feet wide. Mr. Merrill's students created large sculptures based on the work of Claes Oldenburg who takes everyday objects and alters them, often by just making them larger or using different colors or texture. Student work included eyeglasses ( hung from the ceiling), an ipod,a soup can, and a flip flop. See the photographs.

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Marlborough Art Center Show 09

The Marlborough Art Center sponsors a yearly exhibit of art work done by the students of Marlborough's three elementary schools and RHAM Middle School and RHAM High School. The opening reception occured on Friday, March 6 and the show was on display at the Art Center at 231 North Main Street in Marlborought, CT in March 09. (The gallery is open on weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. and admission is free.)