News Release

May 25, 2006

Contact: Jane Shaskan, 860-679-4777
e-mail: shaskan@nso.uchc.edu

West Hartford Artist and Kindergarten Masters Exhibit

June 1 through September 7

WHAT:
“The Serendipity of Intent” – Paintings by Mary Cottle Smeallie
“Kindergarten Masterpieces” – Paintings by Kindergarten students, Eric G. Norfeldt School, West Hartford

Preview selections of exhibit at www.uchc.edu/auxiliary/artexhibits.html. 

WHERE:
Celeste LeWitt Gallery, Food Court, UConn Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington

WHEN:
June 1 through September 7, daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

About the artists:
Since earning her bachelor’s degree in fine arts at the State University of New York, Mary Cottle Smeallie has been involved with the arts and teaching, mostly at the elementary school level, where she has redesigned art curriculums, designed and painted theater sets, organized workshops and instituted an after school art club, among other projects. Mrs. Smeallie says that teaching art and art history feeds her creative process and is the best marriage of career and calling. Currently, she holds a position at Conard High School in West Hartford, where she lives. She has exhibited in solo and juried shows in Virginia and Connecticut. Mrs. Smeallie says she finds creating art like a dance with a perfect partner.

Kindergarten students at the Norfeldt School spend one month during the school year learning about famous artists and their painting styles. The children try the various styles and paint their own versions of famous masterpieces with guidance from Norfeldt teachers Judie Goldenthal and Lori Durocher. The exhibit highlights the aspiring artists’ works.

Editor’s Note: The media is invited to attend a reception for the artists Thursday, June 1, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Food Court. Kindergarteners will sing songs written by their teachers about famous artists. Download high resolution photos of selected exhibit paintings at: www.uchc.edu/auxiliary/artexhibits.html.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

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