Student gallery debuts

SANDUSKY — The next Picasso could have their artwork displayed and admired in Sandusky Schools' newest creative space. Earlier this month, a new art gallery — in what used to be a classroom — officially opened at the Regional Center for Advanced Academic Studies, for grades 3-6, at the former Adams Junior High building on Columbus Avenue. New this year, the school has accepted students talented in music, visual art, theater and dance into the program. At a recent ceremony, the gallery was dedicated to former Sandusky Schools teacher Michele Ziemke, who came up with the arts-only education idea for Sandusky students. The gallery's first virtual show, called "For the Love of Art," just opened. To make the gallery a reality, Great Lakes Visual and Performing Arts Academy chair Rosalyn Shepherd applied for and received a $12,200 grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. Shepherd, along with Sandusky students, teachers and employees from the Sandusky Lowe's, worked together this summer to transform the room. Marsha Carrington, who runs Carrington Arts gallery in Sandusky, is in charge of curating the new gallery. "It took a lot of work to make it what it is," Shepherd said. The new gallery showcases 53 unique pieces made by district students and staff, who explained with their project why they love art. Among their responses: • "It helps me to express myself when words can't" • "It's a way to tell others about yourself without saying anything"• "It's how I feel free and escape reality" "Art is pretty powerful in people's lives now," Shepherd said, referring to the pandemic. "People can always depend on their art." The current art show will remain until Nov. 13. Anyone can view the gallery virtually on Sandusky Schools' social network pages or tour the space in-person. Beginning Monday, in-person visits can be reserved by calling 419-984-1077 to make an appointment. Visitors can stop by noon to 1:30 p.m. and 3:45-5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. What's next The gallery's next art show, focused on the theme of light, will open next month with pieces students made with guidance from two professional artists. The grant money also paid for the artists — from Chicago and Cleveland — to work with Sandusky students. "They'll work with artists to put a show together so their resume will look good," Shepherd said. "Some Global Internship students (at Sandusky High School) are using this as their internship. They're active in keeping the gallery open." Students who have their pieces in the gallery don't have to be enrolled in an arts-only education. "Any Sandusky student who works hard can have their artwork displayed there during the school year," Shepherd said. In fact, the new gallery has become a new recruiting tool. For instance, a fourth-grade student submitted artwork for the current show and now wants to apply for the arts academy at the Adams building. "He was happy to know there's a place for him," Shepherd said. "Kids who are talented creatively want a place where they can express themselves, so I hope this is for them." Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood