Local students art work showcased at Baltimore Woods

Local students exhibit nature artwork at Baltimore Woods Gallery

by Karen Jean Smith

Gallery Coordinator

Nature captivates and artists are inspired, regardless of how young or old they might be. Take, for example, Samantha DiMarco, a 12th grader at Marcellus High School:
“I love to paint water and sky because it is constantly changing. . . never the same. It is so dynamic.”

Samantha’s painting along with dozens of other works of art by local students will be on exhibit at Baltimore Woods Nature Center this month. Art students in grades kindergarten through twelve from fifteen local schools will have their work exhibited until May 25.

An artist reception was held on Saturday May 5 to celebrate the achievements of the students from Auburn, Marcellus, Onondaga, Skaneateles and West Genesee school districts.

The public is invited to browse the show inside the Baltimore Woods Interpretive Center Mondays through Saturdays.

The nature center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus and there are no admission or parking fees.

“While Baltimore Woods Nature Center is designed to appeal to people of all ages, we have a particular emphasis on connecting children with nature and educating children to become good stewards of the earth. Making these connections can happen in any number of ways, and for many, interpreting nature through art and/or appreciating the results is key,” says gallery coordinator and former art educator Karen Jean Smith. “We are always excited to see the variety of nature-inspired art the students have produced over the past year and we are very pleased that we can provide the venue for others to enjoy it also. The art educators from the various schools who participate go the extra mile to make the student work available for this exhibit, and we are always appreciative of their support.”

Marcellus CSD:

K.C. Heffernan Elementary: Allison Gribnau, Luke Walters, Sara Welsh

Art Educator: Ashley Coon

Driver Middle School: Kyle Darmino, Lindsey Kent, Jack Brumfield

Art Educator: Shannon Femano

Marcellus Senior High School: Samantha Di Marco, Tori Sayre, Emma Wetherall, Travis Kent, Ryan White, Emma Burnett, Shannon Stanek, Angelina Van Camp

Art Educators: Donna DeMonte, Cher Ferrara, Tara Charles

Onondaga CSD:

Rockwell Elementary: Emma Bice, Rylan Morris

Wheeler Elementary: Ryan Troch, Deshea Lettsome, Lillian Kahley

Art Educator: Melissa Ryan

Onondaga Junior/Senior High: Alannah Lewandoski, Natalie Maiorano, Phoebe Adams, Jackie Geis