Classroom cre ations

LAPEER — When judging artwork, artist Bill Stolpin said he looks at three main areas.

First of all, the concept of the piece. He said he looks at something — no matter the medium used to create it — and asks himself if it is unique and engaging or if it is trivial and boring. Then he looks at the academics behind the piece — its composition and texture, and then he analyzes how well the artist used his or her chosen technique and medium.

A good piece of work, he said, rates high in all three of those categories.

Stolpin, of Holly, got a chance to use his judging skills on Sunday when he and fellow artist Taurus Burns, of Detroit, juried the Michigan Art Education Association Region 10 show at Gallery 194 in downtown Lapeer.

“There’s some really quality pieces,” Burns said. “It’s nice to see at such a young age.”

Happening since the late 1940s, MAEA shows each feature a collection of student artwork and are held around the state. Pieces are judged in each region and selected pieces move onto Lansing. Then a portion of those pieces are selected to be hung in various buildings around Lansing.

The Region 10 show has been held at Gallery 194 for the past four years.

“This show is important as an advocacy tool,” said Marianna Fiedor, Region 10 liaison for MAEA. “We want to show the value of having art in our schools. Students learn many different things while doing projects”.

Now through Saturday, March 6 visitors to Gallery 194 will be able to see 75 pieces of student artwork including sculptures, paintings, drawings and more, done by elementary to high school students from Lapeer and Genesee Counties.

“They do some amazing work,” said Carolyn McCarter, executive director at Gallery 194.

(Left) Jelly Fish was done by North Branch Middle School seventh grade student Adam Friend. His art teacher is Rebecca Baksa. Students like Friend have been competing in the MAEA show since the late 1940s. See this piece and 74 more at Gallery 194 in downtown Lapeer now through Saturday, March 6. As a result of last weekend’s judging 37 pieces from the show will move on to Lansing.

Before it was at Gallery 194, the MAEA Region 10 Show was hosted at a few different venues including the deAngeli Library and the Flint Library, but when the Gallery opened, Fiedor said it was the perfect spot.

“Students need to have this experience to get a feeling of pride and honor to have their artwork at a venue like Gallery 194. It prepares them, especially students that aspire to an art career, to know how to display their work,” said Fiedor, an art educator from North Branch. “It gives them a chance to share their talents with others. It is great exposure for them.”

(Above) Cool Kids on the Block and (left) Broken Hearted were both done by Lapeer West High School junior Cheryse Burns. The drawing was done in Nancy Barry’s class and the sculpture was done in Jeff Bolzman’s class. Meet some of the student artists featured in the show during a special meet-the-artist reception at Gallery 194 in downtown Lapeer between noon and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. Visitors can see the MAEA show during regular Gallery hours 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. A special meetthe artists reception will be held Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Gallery from noon-2 p.m.

Details: 810-667-1495

— Emily Caswell