IMAGE GALLERY: 7 Local Art Teachers Exhibit Works

Once a month during the school year - over coffee or sometimes soup - seven art teachers from the Westborough Public Schools have joined together to "... get out of our comfort zone," according to high school teacher John Hayes-Nikas. For the past seven years, this "Art Share" has resulted in collaborative pieces, solo works, tutorials on art techniques, and lots of new ideas.

The Art and Frame Emporium in Westborough is now featuring works by these seven artists in a show called A Teacher's Eye. An opening reception was held on Wednesday evening, June 8. 

Ed Turner, store manager and owner of the Art and Frame Emporium tells Westborough Patch, "A couple of these teachers are friends of mine. That's how I caught wind of these meetings and asked if they wanted a show." 

"Art Share" members meet at each other's schools or a local cafe. Much like a book group, they come together to discuss and critique their work. In previous years, the group has created art together. They've made books, boxes, and altered existing books.

This year, each member independently painted a series of 6-inch by 6-inch paintings. At first, there was going to be a single theme. But like most groups, brainstorming led to lots of different themes including nature, light, color, design, and industrial and urban settings. Painting were done with oil, acrylics, watercolor, and mixed media. Prices vary by piece and are negotiable.

The "Art Share" group includes:

• Rebecca Connor - /, Millbury resident
• Linda Crawford - , Westborough resident
• Pam Rourke-Dupuis - , Leominster resident
• Paula Harrison - , Holden resident
• Sky Headland - /Mill Pond, Northbridge resident
• John Hayes-Nikas - Westborough High School, Westborough resident
• Susan Saari - Fales, Westborough resident

Every painting at this show has a story. Paula Harrison shared her inspiration for her painting of a scene in Worcester. According to Paula, "I got a call on my cell phone from my son who was about to sail from Santa Cruz to Hawaii. I sat with the phone crying, looking at the view." Paula continued, "I was scared and excited." (Her son arrived safely in Hawaii.)

Rebecca Connor's painting of a cedar tree from Lebanon is a tribute to her fiancé, who is Lebanese. Rebecca said, "I'm not a painter so this was out of my comfort zone."

Westborough resident Laurie Longo and her daughter Olivia stopped by the gallery to see the work. Laurie said, "My oldest son had a few of these teachers. I wanted to see what they could do. I can see that they are very talented."

A Teacher's Eye will be on display at the Art and Frame Emporium in the Westborough Shopping Center through June 17. For information, call 508-366-5650.

For the latest news and information on Westborough, follow Westborough Patch on Facebook or Twitter or simply click "like" at the top of this page.