Event celebrates art, ties it to careers

By Pam Mansell
Herald Writer

The Wilmington Area Middle School’s “Celebration Art Day” Wednesday did more than just celebrate the beauty of art. It demonstrated how many careers incorporate art — and how many choices students have in that field.

Students in grades five through eight spent all day in different workshops, learning about things such as origami, jewelry making, quilting and metal design.

There was ample opportunity for hands-on experience — and sometimes, as in the pottery workshop, it was pretty gooey hands-on experience. Cynthia Fiorini-Billiris, New Wilmington, demonstrated first how clay is molded on the wheel, and then let enthusiastic fifth graders try it.

Blaise Kendall, Volant, a Wilmington graduate attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, showed 7th- and 8th-graders the principles of automobile design. He brought with him, to the delight of students, a reproduction 1932 Ford he built last year.

Tom Como, professor of art at Slippery Rock University, demonstrated ceramic sculpture and casting. Slippery Rock students Cliff Dupill, Patty Murray, and Steve Reinhart joined him, showing students how to use rubber molds for large castings, and how this work can be used to make items such as garden benches and lawn sculptures.

Linda Johnston, interior designer of Bolotin’s Furniture, Hermitage, talked to students about her work, and Mike Clark of Clark’s Studio, New Castle, demonstrated the principles of good photo composition. Jeff Greene, an architect with HHSDR, Sharon, showed students how schools are designed.

State police trooper Daniel Herr from the Butler barracks told students that his career provided room for art skills. With the help of a computer and a good description, Herr makes composite drawings of those wanted by the police, or people reported missing.

In all, about 30 artists, craftsmen and professionals from various fields participated in “Celebration Art Day,” organized by Wilmington Middle School teacher Avalyn Campbell.

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