Opening reception for ‘Small But Grand’ student showcase

The “Small But Grand” gallery exhibits features 100 original works of art by students at the Arts Guild of Sonoma. Running through May 1, a public reception will take place this Saturday, April 8, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The show includes works by budding artists from Adele Harrison and Altimira middle schools, under the instruction of Cheryl Coldiron; and Renate Kuprian’s Sonoma Valley High School students. All works are 8-by-10 inches, inspiring the exhibit’s name. Selected works will be available for purchase and all proceeds will go directly to the individual students.

“This exhibit allows students to share their art with the general public,” said Coldiron. “Art education provides opportunities for students to express themselves, and it has been proven that creating art helps kids understand other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects.”

The high school students chose their own artistic themes, while the middle school students based their works on three different eras of 20th century art movements. In preparation for the Arts Guild show, middle school students learned about the American landscape style known as Precisionism (popular after WWI) which romanticized equipment, gears, bridges and factories. They then dove into Art Deco (popular during the Roaring ‘20s) with its arcs, fans and geometric shapes. The lessons culminated in SteamPunk, which combines Victorian elements and science-fiction.

The annual “Small But Grand” student art show has been hosted by the Arts Guild of Sonoma for many years, funded by a grant from the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation. The canvases for the students’ works are donated by Sonoma Valley’s Fine Line Art Supply & Custom Framing.

“We are pleased to provide this annual opportunity to young artists at our local schools,” said guild president, Margery Mayer. “The ‘Small But Grand’ exhibit in the Arts Guild of Sonoma Gallery lets us contribute to what can become a student’s lifelong love of art. It also gives gallery visitors the chance to see and purchase a piece of student art to enhance their own home or office.”

The Arts Guild of Sonoma is celebrating its 46th year as a gallery, and is one of the longest-running artists’ cooperatives in California. The gallery is located at 140 E. Napa St., Sonoma.