Colby-Sawyer College Hosts ‘Artist Teachers and the Next Generation of Creative Makers’

In a unique collaboration between Colby-Sawyer College and New England high schools, the college will host “Artist Teachers and the Next Generation of Creative Makers.” The exhibition opens with a reception on Friday, Oct. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. and continues through Nov. 16.

The invitational exhibition features the work of art teachers and their selected student artists in a variety of media including ceramics, painting, sculpture installations and mixed media.

Four teachers are graduates of Colby-Sawyer: Jonathan Cripps '98 of Manchester West High School (N.H); Anne Lederhos '73 of Bedford High School (N.H.); Erin Sawler Massa '04 of Pembroke High School (Mass.); and Maggie Warner '04 of Sanford High School (Maine).

Lederhos will be joined by colleagues from Bedford and Merrimack area schools, including Ann Marie Piantedosi, Aimee Piccolo, Michael Flint and Catherine Tuttle. Lederhos, who enjoys capturing moments in nature, draws inspiration from New England scenery and wildlife.

“Mount Kearsarge holds a place in my heart because of the annual Mountain Day at Colby-Sawyer, and I fondly remember this event,” Lederhos said. “In my painting Mt. Kearsarge, I decided to combine the view with a downy woodpecker who often visits my feeder.”

The exhibit has its roots in Colby-Sawyer’s deep connection to the surrounding community. Bess French, an art teacher at John Stark Regional High School in Weare, N.H, has organized several raku workshops with Professor of Fine & Performing Arts Jon Keenan for her students. At the same time, Lederhos expressed interest in returning to campus for an event. The Fine & Performing Arts Department designed the invitational exhibit to host promising high school artists and to allow their teachers to showcase their professional work.

French created an installation piece from found objects and mixed media for the exhibition.

Colby-Sawyer’s Offices of Admissions and Advancement helped identify the teachers; the exhibition is part of the college’s Homecoming Weekend events.

“I met all the teachers as they delivered their work,” Professor of Fine & Performing Arts Loretta Barnett said. “The alumni reminisced about their time as students at Colby-Sawyer, and l I had a great experience working with all the artist teachers.”