Bridge Street students experience art up close

Students from the Bridge Street Elementary School Summer Artists Workshop toured the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council Gallery in Marysville on Friday. There they met with local artist Heather Davis and viewed her "Color My World" exhibit, on display through Aug. 5.

"We've had students tour the gallery before, but this was amazing to have an actual art class stop in and take a look on their own first and see what they thought," said YSRAC executive director Kathleen Stewart.

"And then to have a chance to meet the artist and sort of adjust those thoughts — I thought it was really fun to watch that happen. The students were already prepared with their own thoughts about art and what they've been doing this summer, so it was perfect to have them meet someone who has already pondered all of those aspects of art and hear what she had to say," Stewart added.

"This was my first time giving a presentation like this," Davis said. "I know children are interested in art, but I didn't think they would be interested in this sort of art — abstract expressionism — because there's no subject.

As an artist, "it's sort of confusing to try to explain your emotions," Davis continued. "But the children were more receptive to that than I gave them credit for. They wanted to know what I was thinking and why I did it that way."

Stewart said the gallery is open to the public all summer, and she encouraged parents to bring their children to see the locally produced art work. "It's very accessible; you can see the pieces close up — and it's not an intimidating gallery," she said. "It's a small, friendly gallery that makes art accessible, and there's an amazing amount of talent in this area."

If you have a group that you would like to bring to the gallery, "You could call the arts council," Stewart said. "We don't know in advance how available the artists will be, but if the artist isn't available, one of (the gallery staff) would offer the tour. We would talk about meeting the artist and as much as we know about the artist and their thoughts."

Lindsey Sherrin, coordinator of before- and after-school programs for Yuba City Unified School District, leads the Summer Artists Workshop at Bridge Street Elementary in conjunction with the school's ongoing mural project on the north side of the cafeteria.

"Last summer and this summer, Kelly Wiltermood and I have taught a two-week art workshop for the students who are going into fourth and fifth grades," Sherrin said. "We hand-picked students who have expressed an interest in art during the regular school year or whose parents expressed an interest in them learning about art.

"Kelly developed the workshop and I took it over," she added. "The students are learning about the basics of art, and they learn about the things that go into the mural. Last year, we worked on a lot of the landscape of the mural, so they learned about landscape art.

"This year, we've been focusing more on fonts because we're going to be putting up the title for Bridge Street School and the establishment date. It gives it kind of a personal touch so students can connect with the school while we tie that in with art curriculum," she said.

"It's just neat to see the kids get inspired and discover talents early so that later on in life they'll be able to develop them even more," Sherrin said.

"Turn the TV off for a few minutes this summer and come in and see some art," Stewart said. "To have a direct look at something that was created by others' hands without the filter of a screen in between is a unique experience. The canvas is right there, and you can be just an inch away from it if you wish, and fully experience someone's creative expression that didn't come across the TV or computer screen.

"Please include that in your activities this summer. We would appreciate seeing you here, and I know you'll leave having had a very positive experience."