The weather may have been gloomy but the art displayed for the 66th annual Chadds Ford Elementary School Art Sale and Show was bright and bold.
While the rain, slush and potholes kept some people from the Friday evening opening, those who did attend saw, what some consider a broader, more diverse and higher level of art work than in years past.
For Shawn Dutkiewicz, the first-year CFES principal, it was an eye-popping and singular experience.
“I cannot conceive of this situation in any elementary school anywhere. It’s truly unique to Chadds Ford. The art, the history and the tradition here culminate through the efforts of the PTO and local artists. It’s a really special thing,” he said.
Dutkiwicz was previously principal at Pennell Elementary School from 2008 until the beginning of this school year.
More than 70 artists participated in the event that’s the biggest fund-raiser for the school’s PTO.
Shawn Faust, last year’s donating artist, was the featured artist this year and Ana Delia McCormack was the donating artist.
Local Chadds Ford artist Judy McCabe Jarvis, displaying her art at the show for the 12th year, said she keeps coming back because the work is so good, but that it was even better and bolder this year.
Another local who retuned is Rob Porter. A medical doctor who edits medical books and Web sites, Porter is a skilled still-life photographer. He decided to take part this year, his second time, for several reasons.
“My kids all went here so I’ve been supporting the show for years. I want to support the community and the cause. It attracts a lot of good artists and I’m proud to be included,” Porter said.
He said his photography gives him a chance to focus on things that are completely different from his work life and gives him the chance to be creative and not deal “with so many rules.”
John Hannafin, an artist from West Chester, has been showing his art at the school since 2011.
“[The show] has a great team of local artists and it’s a great way to support the school while showing my work,” Hannafin said.
New for this year was a separate art display featuring a handful of select artists. Set in the school’s music room, the “Art Salon” as it was called, was curated by artist Lele Galer, who teaches the Art in Action program at the district’s elementary schools.
She said the idea for the salon grew out of a request by the show organizers for her to recommend some new artists, those who are a little more contemporary.
Galer said she did that, but had a few other artists in mind as well. However, their price points were a little higher “and to show their work, you really need to have a quiet spot.”
Main photo: "The Salon" crew, from left, curator Lele Galer, Stan Smokler, Teresa Haag, Dave Olesky and Erica Brown. Not shown is Rhoda Kahler.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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