Student show opening at the Hygienic this Saturday

Hygienic Art Gallery
83 Bank St., P.O. Box 417, New London, (860) 443-8001
Whalers & Lancers Student Art Show: Featuring the artworks of students from New London and Waterford High Schools
Jan. 10—24, 2009
Opening reception: Sat., Jan. 10, 7—10 p.m.

Press release

Hygienic Art, Inc. announces the third annual high school student art show at the Hygienic Galleries from Jan. 10 through Jan. 24, 2009. There will be an opwening reception this Saturday, from 7—10 p.m.

When this show was first proposed to Waterford High School Art teacher David Weber, one requirement was that the work submitted had to be for sale. Mr. Weber reacted with surprise since no other showing of Waterford art students' work involved actual sale of the work. That surprise turned to excitement almost immediately. "What an opportunity," he said. "The actual business of art is something we would never otherwise get into." The response of Art teacher Sue Cash at New London High School was virtually the same. (Accompanying image of artwork by New London High School student Aaron Vincent.)

Since that first show, always held for the middle two weeks of January, Hygienic has written artist commission checks to over one hundred New London and Waterford high school students totaling several thousand dollars.

"This is one of the best moments of the year for me," said Hygienic treasurer James Stidfole. "I love signing the checks and the congratulatory letters and hand delivering them to the Art faculty for distribution. It is such an educational reinforcement."

For more information please contact Jim Stidfole 860-442-4020 or jstidfole [AT] earthlink.net

This show is sponsored by Webster Bank with additional grant support from the Waterford Education Foundation, New London Education Foundation and Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.