Student Artwork Fills ‘Arts On Main’ Gallery In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — (From Town Hall): West Hartford’s Municipal Parking Office is pleased to sponsor a selection of banners showcasing the artwork created by West Hartford Public School students. The banners are on display on South Main Street, from Town Hall to the Noah Webster Library.

The portfolio is a montage of 20 designs submitted by students from Whiting Lane, Aiken, Braeburn, Bugbee, Duffy, Morley, Wolcott, Norfeldt, Bristow, King Philip, Sedgwick, Conard and Hall.

Brooke Nelson, Operations Manager of Municipal Parking, and Kelly Smurthwaite, Bristow Art Teacher, joined forces this spring to create this outdoor gallery known as “Arts on Main.”

“I've always looked at the ‘welcome banners’ around the Center and thought about putting children's artwork up there but wasn't sure how to do it,” Smurthwaite said. “I finally connected with the Municipal Parking Office and they allowed me to put some banners up last year. I bought fabric and grommets and sewed the banners and let my art club students paint them.”

Unfortunately the banners did not hold up with wind and rain. Now in Year 2, both women were ready to take this project to the next level.

“This year we had the artwork professionally printed on material that could withstand the elements of weather,” Nelson said.

Smurthwaite said, “Brooke Nelson jumped on board and said we could do a better job together of using the banners as a medium to display the collection. I asked all the art teachers around town to provide art for one or more banners and they gave me amazing works of art.”

Each piece of art was then photographed and professionally printed on banner material.

“I felt my role with this project was like polishing a nice pair of shoes,” Nelson said. “I wanted to make the artwork shine because each and every one of them needed to be spotlighted.”

“I love to see the artwork up as I drive by,” Smurthwaite said. “It shows that the town is proud of their schools and their students’ talents. Our students are very proud to have their work up around town.”

The banners will stay up through the summer months.

“Next year, we hope to have even more banners and a wider representation from every public school in town,” Nelson said.

“Collaborative projects such as this is what makes West Hartford so unique,” Nelson said.

Contributed photos and article