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Amity Artist Circle sponsors programs for kids Abstract art. Impressionism. Trompe l'oeil. Heady subjects for adults. But topics for kids in grades three through five? Don't be surprised that students from St. Martin of Tours in Amityville had more than a glimmering of understanding of such sophisticated art movements and techniques at the Circle Gallery. The Amityville Artists Circle (AAC) sponsors a wide range of art and cultural programs, including ones tailored to school children. On February 27 and 28, Danielle Nezin brought six of her art classes to the Circle Gallery, located at 186 Broadway, in Amityville, for an orientation and lecture. AAC members Vera Mingovits, Roger Schroeder, Evelyn Rothenburger and Barbara Spizzirri had plenty of work for reference as they engaged the kids with the fundamentals of art. Schroeder, who began with a brief introduction to the Artists Circle and gallery, informed his young audiences that not all art is on canvas or paper. Having carved wood for over 30 years, he explained that art can take the form of wood and metal sculpture, collage, papier-mache, and even ceramic tile. Schroeder actually passed around one of his woodcarvings, a nautical eagle, allowing the captivated kids to feel it. "Some art is meant to be touched," he said. When he admitted that most of the AAC members work on canvas and paper, Mingovits easily segued into a discussion of flatwork styles that include impressionistic and the abstract. Pointing to one of Wolfgang Vann's abstract paintings, "Quantum Passion," she asked the kids to find another in the gallery with a similar look. They easily located a paint- ing, also by Vann. Mingovits spoke of her own watercolor work that sometimes puts the emphasis on shapes and colors, with details kept to a minimum. Spizzirri picked up on the discussion and spoke about her application of watercolor and choice of subject matter. She added that a painting can depict a local scene-many of her compositions include Long Island beaches, or an object on a table at home. Fascinated by a gift of tulips in a vase, she painted the flowers using a palette of passionate yellows. The canvas now hangs in the gallery. Rothenburger finished the lecture by talking about her style of painting that uses a drier application of watercolor. When the students were asked to choose their favorite piece of art, many selected Ron Thomson's painting titled "Toomey's Tavern on the Crik," Harry Saarinen's fabricated-from-steel "Weakfish," and Billy Lozowski's photograph called "Fireworks." Students from St. Martin of Tours will have their art work featured in a special exhibition at the Circle Gallery from May to June. Exact dates will be forthcoming.
For more information on the Amityville Artists Circle and events, including the next gallery show called Simply Stated, which began March 15, and Arts in the Park at the Nautical Park on Merrick Road in Amityville on May 17, contact Irene Greenhalgh at 631-598-2182, or visit www.amityvilleartistscircle.org.
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