Frescoes, terra cotta work and Kandinsky inspire Hilltop artists

Hilltop Country Day School’s recent annual student art show displayed a large volume of work. The exhibit ranged from the pre-school’s “spring branches” painting to a spring still-life painting from kindergarten artists and the first-grade’s “rabbit” paintings. Pre-kindergarten students, as well as fourth-graders, exhibited their talents in print making techniques. In a cross-curricular lesson, the second-grade classes constructed diorama boxes. Third-graders showed two pieces this year. After studying Chinese nature paintings, the students created scroll paintings to celebrate spring’s arrival. Working with terra cotta clay, the youngsters constructed three-dimensional mushrooms that were finished with special-effect glazes. Upper school classes exhibited a variety of work from throughout the school year, including foreshortening drawings from the fifth- and sixth grades. Seventh-graders displayed their version of Italian-style frescoes, carved from sheetrock slabs. Three-dimensional sculptures made from a variety of materials including plaster and Styrofoam were shown by the eighth-grade students. The show was planned and coordinated by Hilltop art instructor SuzAnne Pacala. Parent and student volunteers assisted her with the hanging and displaying of the artwork and the activities during the show.