Guild Builds Student Art Community

Guild Hall in East Hampton welcomes community members this Saturday, January 19, for its 27th Annual Student Art Festival with a kick-off reception from 2 to 4 PM. The gallery will showcase the artwork of students in kindergarten through 12th grade until February 24.

“We have an incredible art community here, from our exceptionally talented student body to our enormously supportive administration and inspiring faculty,” noted Margaret Zubarriain, an art teacher from East Hampton High School. Zubarriain has been teaching Drawing and Painting, Studio Art, and Sculpture since 2016. Her curriculum is based on exploring habits of the mind and creative behavior. Students are encouraged to think, speak, and work as though they were in a professional studio.

Guild Hall bridges the gap between the school setting and that of the larger community, she noted. “Having a venue like Guild Hall to display their final works, the products of months of experimentation and discovery, brings their artistic process full circle and allows the young artists to contribute to the larger art community outside of school. They have powerful perspectives to share and the student annual exhibit invites the East Hampton community to be a part of the conversation,” said Zubarriain.

East Hampton High School students are especially excited. Senior Emily H. said, “For me, as an artist, it is always a memorable experience to see my work being displayed with others’ work in a museum. It is an amazing opportunity to share my work with a wide audience and receive feedback from other artists, as well as a broad community who enjoys viewing art.”

Maya P., a junior at EHHS, shared a similar sentiment. “The variation between works and the differences in ideas from artist to artist are insightful in allowing the viewers to understand the creative process of developing artists. Oftentimes, I seek refuge through art making, translating my frustrations and devoting my energy into the creation of the art piece, which is both cathartic and validating,” she said.

Guild Hall serves as a cultural center for the East End and beyond, and is a well-known name within the artistic community. For these participating students, it’s about more than showcasing their work. It’s also a chance to hang where greats before them have been. “Being an artist is hard, especially when you are filled with insecurities and doubt. It gives student artists a chance to display their work somewhere other than their dad’s office or the fridge at home. For me, being in the exhibition has been very rewarding. I could see other students’ work and be a part of a real museum exhibition,” noted Rachel O., a senior at EHHS.

Opening night festivities will include special dance performances by the East Hampton High School Dance Team, the East Hampton Middle School Dance Team, A&G Dance Co., Abigail Loos of the East Hampton Home School Group, and more.

In conjunction with the Student Art Festival, Guild Hall will also offer free art workshops, organized by Golden Eagle Artist Supply, for those in kindergarten through fifth grade.

First year art teacher at Springs School, Laura Marino, concluded, “It’s different than the independent projects that they are used to, but they have all worked wonderfully together to create some beautiful pieces. I am excited to share what our students have been working on with other local schools as well as gain inspiration from the nearby districts.”

Visit www.guildhall.org for more information.

nicole@indyeastend.com