Brendan, a SMEC Adult Day Health (ADH) member, used a mirror to pause and look before painting his self-portrait. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
NEW BEDFORD — They put everything they had into each piece of art. Sea birds. Self-portraits, but as owls. A lone giraffe and a bumpy crocodile.
Each expressive piece is as unique as its creator. Some hang from the ceiling. One white gull stands on a shelf looking up, a poignant reminder of its sculptor, who heartbreakingly passed away just weeks prior to the exhibit’s opening day.
Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) student artwork is on display through June 14 at the New Bedford Art Museum. The 5th annual SMEC exhibition, “Learning for Life,” features a mix of mediums, and was all produced in weekly art classes led by art educator Nicole Winning over the past year.
“The art project prompts vary and encompass explorations of line, color, form, gesture, abstraction and realism,” according to the introductory plaque that welcomes exhibit visitors.
“Developing a creative mind doesn’t begin and end on a piece of paper, or a sculpture,” Winning said. “A creative mind helps us imagine the infinite possibilities of our lives into being and supports us to be confident in our unique way of expressing and communicating. I try to support all of these components when supporting our students in Art class.”
SMEC serves individuals with special needs ages 3-21, as well as adults with developmental disabilities. Each artwork was created by students and adults participating in SMEC programs.
“The Art Museum is proud to partner with SMEC to showcase the work of the talented artists in our community,” said New Bedford Art Museum Executive Director Suzanne de Vegh. “This is always a popular exhibition with all our visitors and beloved by our team at the Art Museum.”
Winning walked around the exhibit, sharing the story behind each group of striking multi-dimensional works, wall hangings and statuary.
She paused near a small shelf upon which sat a white sea bird, its beak pointed upward.
“That’s Ashley’s,” Winning said, referring to SMEC Adult Day Health (ADH) member Ashley L. Canfield, 38, a Fall River native residing in New Bedford, who passed away on April 12 at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Ashley was a member of SMEC’s ADH and Transitional Services Program (TSP) for the past 20 years. She was remembered as a fun-loving person who loved shopping, going to Dunkin, listening to country music and dressing as a princess.
“I hope every art lover visits this exhibit,” said SMEC Student Services Director Kim Wilmot. “Each of these works of art tells a little bit about the Collaborative’s story.”
“Our students and members put their hearts into every painting and sculpture in this display,” said SMEC Executive Director Catherine Cooper. “Their combined efforts have resulted in an amazing exhibit. I’m so proud of our art educators and students. They’ve accomplished something amazing once again.”
About SMEC
The Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative is a public education collaborative established in 1975. SMEC is an extension of 10 public school systems, which make up its membership. The present membership includes the Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Rochester and Old Rochester Regional public school districts. SMEC accepts students for enrollment in its programs from school systems throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. The Collaborative’s programs and services are locally based and locally directed and are designed to supplement the special education resources of its member districts. SMEC offers a variety of services for students with special needs aged 3-21 as well as adults with developmental disabilities. To learn more about the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative, visit smecollaborative.org.
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All of the students’ self-portraits, created as if the students were owls, hang together on one exhibit wall. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
Ashley Canfield’s sculpture of a sea bird looking toward the sky. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
SMEC art educator Nicole Winning gives a tour of the exhibit.
(Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
SMEC students William, Ezekiel and Jake at TSP learn about Found Art Sculpture when painting their papier mache animals made from Amazon packaging.
(Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
Spencer, a SMEC Adult Day Health (ADH) member, shows off his hard work painting his corn hole game. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
Ayden at TSP working on painting his giraffe paper mache sculpture.
(Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
The 5th annual SMEC exhibition, “Learning for Life,” features a mix of mediums, and was all produced in weekly art classes led by art educator Nicole Winning over the past year. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) student artwork is on display through June 14 at the New Bedford Art Museum. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)
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