Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”
While the Parrish Art Museum prides itself on regularly celebrating some of the most beloved and well established grown up artists of the South Fork, and elsewhere, on a year-round basis, the creators of the Water Mill locale’s current exhibition are no doubt much younger, and arguably, much more exciting.
Now in its 70th year at The Parrish, the “2024 Student Exhibition” opened to the public earlier this month, on March 3, featuring hundreds of works created by 1,000 students from pre-kindergarten all the way through 12th grade from about 50 East End schools. On the South Fork alone, student artwork came from about a dozen Hamptons schools, both public and private.
The exhibit, which will be on display through April 7, includes works in painting, sculpture, drawing, photography and new media. According to a press release from Melanie Tolan, the museum’s director of donor and external communications and branding, “this year’s annual event features the museum’s ‘How Artists Work’ initiative presenting student projects created with visiting artist Hiroyuki Hamada, Brianna L. Hernández and Virva Hinnemo.” This past fall saw the professional artists collaborating with 90 local students over three sessions, resulting in pieces, from both the pros and the pupils, to be on display in the galleries for the exhibition.
A private preview opening the show saw students, family and teachers visiting the museum, which featured cookies from South Fork Bakery (to learn more about the great work they do, click here!) and performances from storyteller and musician Johnny Cuomo along with the Bridgehampton School’s Marimba Ensemble.
“The student exhibition invites the entire community to celebrate the creativity of young local artists and dedicated teachers,” says Martha Stotzky, deputy director of education at The Parrish. “Every year, this exhibition sparks creativity and provides young students in our community a wonderful forum to exhibit their artistic talent.”
The Parrish is located at 279 Montauk Highway in Water Mill. Admission is $20 for adults, $14 for seniors, free for members, students and children 18 and under. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call 631-283-2118.
