Students Show Off their Creative Talent at Portsmouth Art Guild

Students from the local high schools took part in an art exhibit at the (PAG) on Sunday. Most came from , , Middletown High School and participated in the art show. About 10 students from each high school submitted art work; a total of 48 pieces were showcased.

Mary Ann Martin, chairwoman of the Intake Committee at the PAG, explained that this is the fifth year the PAG has reached out to the fine arts teachers and asked them to submit interested students’ work. A variety of mediums were on display, including photos, drawings, ceramics, charcoals, wires, pastels, watercolors, oils and paper reliefs.

Denise Davis of Portsmouth was there to see artwork created by her son, Conner, who could not be present at the gallery.

“I don’t even know what his work looks like,” she said. “He doesn’t always reveal his work.”

To add some friendly competition to the exhibit, PAG members looked at each entry and chose their three favorites and two honorable mentions.

“Some really great stuff comes from the kids,” said Martin.

Amy Komm, a 17-year old senior at Portsmouth High School, submitted a pencil drawing of an antique clock. Komm explained how she received an assignment to draw the interior and exterior of an object. She decided to remove the back of an old clock and place a mirror on the outside to reflect the clock’s face.

Shannon Puerini, a 15-year old sophomore at Middletown High, submitted a self-portrait drawn with oils and charcoal.

“Color was my inspiration," she said, explaining her inspiration for the vibrant piece. "I saw everyone else using one or two colors and decided I wanted to use lots of colors."

“I used yellow for the lighter parts of the face and green for the darker parts," added Puerini. "I love to draw eyes so I like to really make them pop out. A lot of expression is in the eyes. A lot of what you’re trying to say is in your eyes.”

Renee Hansen, a foreign exchange student from Denmark, is a 16-year old junior at Portsmouth High School. Drawn to the variety of colors of the pencils, she decided to photograph a mug of colored pencils from a bird’s eye view. She has been studying in the United States since August, but will return to Denmark in June.

One of the youngest entries by 14-year old Chris Logan was one of the day’s most unique works of art, called the “Card Hat.” He explained that his creative stepmother came up with the idea to build a hat out of two decks of playing cards.

Fifteen-year old Chrissy Sieben, a sophomore at Portsmouth High School, used a unique technique to create her picture of a fish.

“First, I built up different materials on a base and then I covered it with blue ink,” said Sieben. She is looking to study art in college. Her creation won an honorable mention at this year’s event.

Other winners included Grace Perkins who took the first place prize for her painting titled “Family Portrait-The Dream Killer,” Ainsley Fraser, who won second place for her painting titled “Landscape,” and Steven Elleman, who placed third for his lino cut “Landscape.”

Kelley McSparren, a sophomore at Portsmouth High, found a lonely glove on the school grounds and thought it would make an interesting photograph. “I was drawn to the vivid colors against the icy background,” explained McSparren.

Ben Riley, a 17-year old junior at Portsmouth High, sketched a self-portrait on an old drawing board. He has been interested in art since elementary school and plans to continue with his art work in college. 

“No matter what media, Ben has been able to work with it to his advantage,” said Riley’s art teacher, Nancy Brandley. “I only expect bigger and better things from him.”