Chalking The Walk – Students participate in Beloit’s Artwalk
“They will be chalking the walk, in the words of instructor Elizabeth Carpenter, who explains that their efforts will take place at the city’s Artwalk on the calendar for 5 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Carpenter, who teachers AP Studio Art and is the Art Club advisor at BMHS, said this precedes a chalking endeavor outside of the school next Wednesday where her students will showcase not only their drawing talents on the sidewalk but also the idea that art can take place and enhance almost any space, not just gallery or museum walls.
“We are going to do it again at the school on May 18 — have a chalk the walk all day celebration with AP students and NAHS students recreating famous art work in front of the school,” Carpenter added, explaining that she started the National Arts Honor Society this year.
“Recently,” she said, “thirteen students were inducted into our chapter of NAHS. These are students who have taken several art courses, demonstrated creativity & high achievement in art. We’re excited to offer this additional opportunity for service & recognition to our dedicated, upper level art students.”
On Display Downtown at First National Plaza
Noting that students will be displaying their creativity downtown in the First National Plaza, Carpenter said, “I think the young artists will draw out a couple of sidewalk squares focusing on portraits through art history. It may be a Vermeer or perhaps a Frida Kahlo done large and on the ground.
With her characteristic humor and optimism, Carpenter added, “We hope it doesn’t rain.”
Continuing, she said, “The students will also be hosting a button making station in the First National Bank Plaza. They will provide all of the supplies one would need to make a tiny wearable piece of art or if you would prefer a campaign button to pledge your allegiance for or against some of our more colorful candidates.
Noting that donations will be accepted, Carpenter also said student artwork will be available for sale.
Capping The Year & Preparing Students for Summer Travel Abroad
The students’ efforts downtown are essentially the capstone to a productive year in the BMHS Art Department and the lead in to summer of extraordinary opportunity for a group of students going abroad with Carpenter.
In addition to study and creativity in classes, Carpenter said, “Students painted some Vans shoes for the annual contest.” This is national contest sponsored by the shoe company of that name that seeks through the contest to show how art can be found in a variety of places, including on shoes.” In addition, she said, students had artwork exhibited and installed in the school.
As soon as the school year is finished, Carpenter and 14 art students will be looking forward to going abroad. “We are going to Amsterdam, Paris and London for nine days in July. Europe travelers will run a brat stand downtown on June 11th,” she said, explaining that students will have the opportunity to view works of art by some of the world’s greatest painters and sculptors in those cities, and perhaps even sidewalk murals and portraits that so commonly brighten European cities.
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