Ghost Fleet Gallery Art Show Highlights Student Artwork
By Kip Tabb –
Positive/Negative Bike by Abby Dougherty, First Flight High School
No one was quite sure if Sunday’s opening was the 20th, 21st or 22nd Annual Dare County Schools Art Show at Glenn Eure’s Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head. What everyone who was there does know, is what an extraordinary gift to the community the use of the gallery is from Glenn and Pat Eure.
The gallery is typically packed on opening day and the excitement–especially from the younger kids–is palpable when they find their artwork displayed on the wall. And what is perhaps most remarkable is the quality and range of artwork Dare County students are producing.
It is possible to trace the creative development of the kids as they progress through the Dare County Schools art programs, from the use of color, perspective and beginnings of the idea of different materials to create an image to the high school kids who are creating truly professional quality art.
There was a wonderful pastel from Susannah Weaver, a 7th grade student Cape Hatteras Secondary School that twisted and distorted the furniture of a living room or sitting room in such a way that your eyes were compelled to return to it.
There was the multi Self-Portrait from CHES student Noah Swartwood that was astonishing in its complexity and subtlety.
Abby Dougherty’s Positive-Negative Bike was selected to be shown in the upcoming Frank Stick Art Show at the end of this month. An evocative piece, the watercolor creates texture and color in spite of the almost monochromatic use of tone.
This is the Outer Banks community at its best–a place that treasures its creativity, education and its children. A place that where kids learn what it is to be special, and a gallery owner and artist can can truly make a difference.
The Dare County Schools Art Show will run through next Saturday, January 18.
