Jared Rush ‘17 and Alexis Karlin `20 Interview Art Teachers

Anyone who has strolled down to the RSPA Panther Hall Gallery in the early part of autumn has probably taken notice of the striking pieces that now line the walls. What’s even more impressive than the stunning works themselves is the fact that these art works were created by Ranney School’s very own teachers and are part of the Faculty Art Exhibit. The program, which started eight years ago, gives the school’s art teachers the opportunity to exhibit their own works for four weeks, including during Homecoming weekend.

Included in the show are part of Ms. Kate Greenberg’s “Ghost Series” from handcast paper, Mr. Andrew Sullivan’s nature derived paintings, Ms. Pam Shipley’s Data Drawings, Mrs. Barbara Levine’s observational acrylic paintings, and ceramic works and architectural drawings by Mrs. Madeleine McCarthy.

What makes these works of art so much more intriguing are the processes that shaped their creation. Each artist described the background and development of their work to shed some light on how they work as artists. Ms. Shipley’s interpretation and rigorous marking of actual information is highly profound, especially when she explained how it relates to our own instinct to make sense of things. The five detailed paintings created by Mrs. Levine reflect her own fascinated studies of scenes, people or things that interested her, as well as experimenting using various techniques involving light, shadow, depth, realism and color to produce stunning works which focused on large objects. Mr. Sullivan’s abstract seascapes, which investigated his own nature-inspired interest of where land meets water, were made using acrylic paint, watercolor pencils, pastels, gels, glazes, and even sand to achieve what he describes as a textured, contemporary appearance. The story behind the “Ghost Series” by Ms. Greenberg is especially intriguing, as the works are actual reflections of events from her life. The theme of past milestones or “ghosts from the past” is emphasized by the look of her pieces, featuring white cast paper draped over found objects that symbolize the idea being evoked. Indeed, being able to comprehend the method and thought processes of the artist enhances the overall viewing experience and adds a pleasantly personal touch to the enjoyment of the pieces.

Whether their first year exhibiting in the program or their eighth, all of the featured artists seem to love the opportunity to display their work and also have great respect for their colleague’s art.

But, in truth, the exhibit is about more than showing off the department’s talent. It offers the community an opportunity to learn more about the visual arts, especially regarding the educators in the department that teach it. The Faculty Art Exhibit is one way for the department to allow others to appreciate their work and the creative process that comes along with it. It also lets the Ranney community see the teachers as working artists. Oftentimes, students may forget that the faculty isn’t only passionate about teaching art, but they are also passionate about creating it and sharing it with others. As artists, they are aware of both the challenges and rewards that come along with being creatively inclined and displaying the results of this inclination make the faculty more empathetic and effective as teachers.

If you find yourself in RSPA Panther Hall in the coming weeks, it would definitely be a worthwhile experience to admire and observe the works of art created by some of our very own faculty members. From now until October 15^th, take the opportunity to appreciate the creations of the art teachers and enjoy the story behind their unique and individualistic processes.

As Ms. Greenberg, who is chair of the Ranney School Visual Arts Department put it, the exhibit “puts to rest the old but inaccurate expression, 'those that can, do, those that can’t, teach.' Clearly our faculty most certainly 'can' and 'do.'”