PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Loading Dock Gallery
122 Western Avenue
Lowell, MA
Show: Fresh Visions: Lowell High School Scholastic Art Entrees 2016
Show dates: December 30 - January 31, 2016
Opening Reception: January 2, 2016 from 5-7pm
Kick off the new year with a new generation of artists! Student art work abounds at
Western Avenue Studios this month, with Loading Dock Gallery presenting Fresh Visions:
Lowell High School Scholastic Art Entrees 2016. This exhibit showcases the exemplary work
being entered into the Massachusetts portion of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards,
sponsored by the Boston Globe. The awards program was started in 1923. Founder Maurice R.
Robinson, says it’s an opportunity “…to give those high school students who demonstrate
superior talent and achievement in things of the spirit and of the mind at least a fraction of the
honors and rewards accorded to their athletic classmates for demonstrating their bodily skills.”
Fresh Visions includes about 100 artworks from students taught by Lowell High School
art teachers Faye O’Leary, Mary Lee, Katy Sheridan and Lisa Perkins. The work, hung salon
style, ranges from painting and sculpture, to fashion, jewelry and digital art. Loading Dock
Gallery curator Michele Boll says, “When students strive to create artwork at the highest level,
they accomplish more than they think possible. The young artists chosen for this exhibit reveal
new ideas, and reflections of their world. They show us what matters to the youth of our country.
They are truly ‘Fresh Visions’.”
The work of student artist John Quigley was chosen for the exhibit postcard. He says,
“My artwork encourages people to visit Lowell, Massachusetts and witness the mix of rich
history and elements in nature that make me proud to call this city my home.” Student Tina Phan
explains how she created her self-portrait. “ I focused on creating highlights, shadows, and
depths through line variation rather than the number of lines.”
The Lowell student artists will be competing with their peers across the state. Last year,
over 15,000 pieces of art were entered to the Scholastic Awards in Massachusetts. State winners
are recognized in three award levels: Honorable Mention, Silver Keys, and Gold Keys and will
be announced on January 29, 2016. Massachusetts’ Gold Key winners will go on to compete
nationally with other Gold Key winners.
Also at Western Avenue Studios this month, the Onyx Room will display Boys & Girls
Club of Lowell: 2015 National Fine Art Exhibit, hosted by the Miracle Providers and Loading
Dock Arts, Inc. This exhibit features the work of many talented youth, ranging in age from 7 to
18, who participated in a special fine arts program offered through the Boys and Girls Club of
Lowell. This year-round program enables artistic expression in drawing, painting, printmaking,
collage and mixed media. A panel of distinguished judges selects works for inclusion in the
National Fine Arts Exhibit, which is displayed throughout the next year at BGCA events,
including their annual National Conference.
Both exhibits at Western Avenue Studios run for the month of January, with receptions
for both on Saturday, January 2, 2016, from 5-7 pm. Stop by the Loading Dock Gallery and
Onyx Room after Open Studios which runs from noon – 5:00 PM. Loading Dock Gallery, a part
of Loading Dock Arts, Inc. is open Wednesday through Saturday, 12 noon to 5:30 pm and
Sunday 12 noon to 4 pm. For more information, call 978-656-1687 or visit
theloadingdockgallery.com. The Onyx Room is open by appointment by calling 978-616-6991.
###