Norwalk Middle School Students Showcase Artwork

Middle school students from the Norwalk Housing Authority after-school program exhibited their work this January at the Silvermine Arts Center as the culmination of a visual art and writing program that began in November.  The project was made possible by Bankwell, which donated $2500 to Art Partners, Silvermine’s Outreach Education department directed by Sophia Gevas.

Norwalk Poet Laureate, Laurel Peterson, and Silvermine Teaching Artist, Wendy MacCordy, worked with the Norwalk Housing Authority students to create poetry, drawings and paintings on the subject of the students’ vision for their future.   An exhibition of the work entitled “Future Me” was installed in Silvermine Art Center’s Student Gallery, with a reception on January 10. 

“We truly appreciate Bankwell’s support of Art Partners,” said Sophia Gevas.  “Their generous donation paved the way for a joyous and educational literacy and studio art experience celebrated in an exhibition at the Silvermine School of Art.” 

Since 1992, Silvermine Arts Center's Art Partners Program has been providing free-or-subsidized professional Teaching Artists to design and execute exciting arts classes to under-served students in Stamford and Norwalk public schools. The distinctiveness of Art Partners centers on the quality of the teaching artists and their close collaboration with classroom teachers or program directors to augment student academic achievement.

Silvermine Arts Center is one of the oldest artist communities in the United States. Its five­acre campus in New Canaan, Connecticut, consists of a nationally renowned artist guild, an award­winning school of art offering classes for all ages, an arts and fine crafts shop, and a gallery offering over twenty contemporary and historic exhibitions annually. Silvermine is a non­profit 501c3 organization that also offers an educational outreach program, Art Partners, and hosts lectures, film screenings, and special events.

Gallery Hours: Silvermine Galleries are open Wednesday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (203) 966­9700 ext. 20 or visit the website: www.silvermineart.org. 1037 Silvermine Road, New Canaan, CT 06840