April 22, 2006, Sharon NH

Earlier this month, 25 area educators and arts enrichment volunteers representing 14 area public and private schools took part in an exciting hands-on professional development opportunity. The workshop, was led by renowned artist James Grashow, and focused on the potential of corrugated cardboard as a flexible and “willing” materials for artistic expression. Grashow will be a guest artist at Sharon Arts Center for an intensive collaboration with area schools that will take place in May in conjunction with the 13th Annual Children and the Arts Festival.

“Corrugated board is the DNA of creativity. Boxes, glue, tape, knives and a group of willing people can create anything. And have a great time doing it!”, exclaimed Grashow.—and he couldn’t have been more correct! After a brief introduction to his work, the teachers broke-off into small groups to construct 3D pieces using this year’s Children and the Arts theme “Under the Sea”. Equipped with only large sheets of cardboard, hot glue, Elmer’s glue and utility knives, participants worked at an enthusiastic and frenzied pace building larger than life-sized anchors, fantastic fish, super-big squid, sea turtles, and star fish long into the evening hours. Terry Reeves, a member of the Children and the Arts Committee was very enthusiastic about the workshop stating, “ The workshop at Sharon Arts was definitely one of the best workshops I’ve attended in a loooong time! James was inspirational and gave us all “permission” to experiment, and think outside the box with this project— I can’t wait to the see him again when he returns!”

Throughout April and May, many of the teachers will modify the tools, and impart the skill acquired at this training onto their students as they work to create imaginative cardboard sculptures back in their classrooms. Many of the finished pieces that result from these creative sessions will be marched in the parade and/or become a part of the collaborative exhibition Aquarium of the Imagination at Sharon Arts exhibition space on Grove Street in May. “Aquarium of the Imagination will be an extension of this experience,” explained Melanie McDonald, Sharon Art’s Director of Education. “What better way to begin to involve students than by engaging their teachers in this enriching and creatively training activity!” In the fall, Sharon Arts plans to expand this commitment to area teachers and art volunteers through a series of professional development workshops slated to take place both at their state-of-the-art studios in Sharon, an in the downtown galleries.

Construction of the larger-than-life aquarium exhibit will begin on Tuesday, May 16th, and last right up until the opening on Friday, May 19th. Sharon Arts Center typically closes its doors as new work is being installed, but is pleased to announce that throughout the construction of the work and its installation the doors will be open. “Throughout the week, folks are welcome to visit the gallery and watch as James Grashow works with area students who will be on-site creating the work. Sharon Arts is a place for people young and old alike to explore, create, experiment, and observe the possibilities of art in all its forms!”, McDonald expressed inviting curious art lovers to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.

Aquarium of the Imagination and the Sharon Arts/Children and the Arts collaboration is partially funded by: Children and the Arts, Cobblestone/Carus Publishing, and the Peterborough Lions Club.

For more information about this initiative, please contact Melanie McDonald, Dir. Of Education at Sharon Arts Center 924-7256 x305 or email: melanie@sharonarts.org.

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