Jody Wilmarth, WACS high school Art educator, said that she and Photography Instructor, Mallory Vallieres, were contacted by Melissa Myers, Vice President of the North Shore Arts Alliance. Myers asked if Westfield had any students who would like to take part in the Art Trail event.

Vallieres recommended senior photography student Felicity Huyck. Wilmarth recommended sophomores Isabella Kurtz and Summer Chimera from the Drawing 1 class; junior Grace Wolfe from the Advanced Placement 2D Design class; and from the Advanced Placement Drawing class, sophomore Meredith Lendt and seniors Sam Heim and Emma DeGolier.

Their works will be on display at the Sheep Barn, 5115 Morris Road in Mayville, Wilmarth said. The Sheep Barn is one of 16 participating studios and hubs located around Chautauqua Lake, as well as in Sherman, Kennedy, Portland, Westfield, Fredonia and Lily Dale.

“The experience has pushed the students to make critical decisions about their work,” Wilmarth said. “They have gotten the experience of matting and framing work for a professional display. They will have the experience of talking with the public about their work.”

Wilmarth said there was no particular theme in the selection of the works to be displayed. “They chose the works they wanted to feature, with each student displaying four works,” she said. “The request came very recently, but based on a conversation with Myers, I believe we will be invited again next year, so we will have more time to plan and prepare.”

Wilmarth said the students were very excited about the opportunity to be part of the Art Trail. “At least three of them plan on having art-related careers, she said. “At the time we were asked to participate, we were told that Westfield and Jamestown were the only schools exhibiting.”