The Emerging Artist Exhibit

Featuring the Art of Portsmouth, RI Students

This year’s Emerging Artists Exhibit was a huge success! The Opening Reception was packed with young artists and their friends and family. Juror, Jodi Manca, was so impressed with the level of talent. Please take a moment to read her words of encouragement to all the young artists who participated this year. The Portsmouth Arts Guild sends a heartfelt thank you to the teachers, students, families, Jodi, and especially to our event coordinator, Kathleen Tirrell.

“I want to begin by saying how thrilled I was to be asked to award this show. As an arts educator for the past 28 years I am excited to see students of all ages given a platform. The viewer really can see the expert guidance and instruction that these young artists are receiving. The quality of the work is extraordinary and inspirational, which made my job VERY difficult. When looking at the work I was taken with both the talent and the craftsmanship displayed here today. All of these students deserve recognition for their creativity and levels of effort involved.

The photography work by the high schoolers was exceptional. Both Kasper Shea and Maciej Tabak really draw the viewer in with the use of composition and limited color. Bonnie Hoffman’s photograph is thought provoking and delivers an image that stays with the viewer.

In the middle school division Savannah Ling shows off her use of perspective and shading skills, while in the elementary Scarlett Kane does a wonderful Modrian, Gwen Montaivo captures an audience with her winking bunnies and Tina Luzhanska achieves a sense of form with her hearts.

Please keep creating and never be afraid to express yourself.”