The Student Art Festival: Eco vs Ego opened at Guild Hall with a public celebration on Saturday, January 20. The exhibition is on view through February 26.
The Student Art Festival: Eco vs Ego explores our symbiotic relationship with nature, asking East End students, schoolteachers, and artists to delve into topics such as needs and survival, infrastructure and growth, anthropomorphism and symbolism, and biophilia through the practices of art, design, horticulture, and performance. This year’s theme was inspired by guest thought leader Edwina von Gal.
Core to the festival is the Student Art Festival In-School Artist-in-Residence program. The program has engaged 20 artists over two academic years to work within 15 participating schools to create new works, culminating in exhibitions and performances with nearly 4,000 students.
The artists-in-residence and participating schools include Pamella Allen and Springs School; Keren Anavy and Amagansett School; Darlene Charneco and Bridgehampton School; Viv Corringham and Springs School; Andrea Cote and The Bridgehampton Childcare & Recreation Center; Lionel Cruet and the Guild Hall Teen Arts Council; Mare Dianora and Bridgehampton School; Denise Silva-Dennis and Pierson Middle-High School; Jeremy Dennis and East Hampton High School; Brianna Hernandez and East Hampton High School; Liz Joyce with Wainscott & Sagaponack Schools; Laurie Lambrecht and Westhampton Beach Elementary School; Brett Loving and Project Most; Anthony Madonna and John Marshall Elementary School; Cheryl Molnar and Shelter Island School; Jody Oberfelder and Our Fabulous Variety Show; Beau Bree Rhee and East Hampton High School; Steven Sergiovanni and the Guild Hall Teen Arts Council; Alexandra Talty and Bridgehampton School; and Rosario Varela and East Hampton Middle School.
“We want to thank Anthony and Annika for their invested focus over time in preparing the process for this exceptional collaborative experience that brought students into real-life creative learning experiences with professional artists,” said Heather Evans, East Hampton School District Unified Arts Department Coordinator and High School Fine Arts Teacher. “Their attention to detail and understanding of the school calendar and the necessary lead time made it work, and they took the time to consider which courses would pair best with specific artists. The exhibit feels very much like a celebration between students and the community.”
To learn more about these exhibitions and related programming, visit guildhall.org/events.
