June 2003
Contact: Holly Brooker
(845) 255-1450 xt.1301

Brightly colored kites gently swayed in the breeze, inviting guests into the gallery atmosphere of the fourth annual Ulster BOCES Students’ Arts Exhibit recently held at the Center for Alternative Education (A-School) in Port Ewen. Featured displays were created by the students attending the A-School, the 21st Century After-School Program, and the Ulster BOCES ALPHA (Alternative Program for Psychiatrically Identified Adolescents) program.

The exhibit showed off the talents in many creative mediums including paper kites, self-portrait paintings, photographic works, three-dimensional art, poetry, creative sculptures, beautiful pillows, exotic jewelry, and even a mini film festival where students, parents, staff, and guests were able to view several short student-produced videos. Guests were also treated to some toe-tappin’ jazz musical pieces performed by the A-School students.

This annual event was the combined effort of teachers Patti Gibbons and Leveque Nazaire from the school’s art department and the ARTSTEACH and IWILL (Internships Will Initiate Leadership and Livelihood) programs. IWILL is supported by a New York State Council on the Arts Empire State Partnership Grant, which is funded by the New York State Department of Education and New York State Council on the Arts.

According to Bardet Wardell, director of the ARTSTEACH program and the project coordinator for the IWILL program at the Center for Alternative Education, these two programs are integrated into the art program at the school. “We have worked to craft a program that suits the needs and desires of the students.” The program is in direct alignment with the New York State Learning Standards in the Arts, as well as Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS).

“Having their work on display for an art showing is so very exciting for the students,” adds Wardell. “This year, the quality of the work is very impressive. Each year, as the Students’ Arts Exhibit comes around, the students become more confident in their abilities to make art that people want to come and see.”

“The greatest joy I get out of my job is seeing the excitement in the students when they are creating their art work,” remarks Patti Gibbons, Ulster BOCES art teacher. “Seeing the pride my students take in their work makes me feel as though I’ve done a good job. I’ve given them a space to express themselves and they’ve done a wonderful job doing so.”

“The arts are being recognized as a possible career option by students, parents, staff, and the community. People are beginning to realize that the arts are one of the biggest industries in the country,” states Wardell, adding, “Our goal here at the Center for Alternative Education is to stimulate interest in the arts careers that are available to creative and innovative thinkers like our students. In the future, there will be opportunities that none of us can imagine in the various fields of arts, design, computer arts, music, recreational activities, theatre, filmmaking, landscape architecture, and so much more.”

The art programs at the Ulster BOCES Center for Alternative Education are sponsored by Ulster BOCES, Mill Street Loft, New York State Council on the Arts, New York Foundation for the Arts, R&F Encaustics, Ulster Savings Bank, Rondout Savings Bank, Markertek, a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, Tariana, and community artists.