[ Originally published on: Friday, December 05, 2008 ]
GREENFIELD -- More than a dozen Greenfield High School students have joined local artists in displaying their art in the windows of businesses along Main, Federal and Miles streets as part of Greenfield Business Association's ''Home for the Holidays'' celebration.
The Artists Window Exhibition, which will be on display until after the first of the year, will host an AWE Art Stroll Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Pushkin Gallery, 2 Federal St. The ''Home for the Holidays'' event runs today through Sunday.
Kayla Penfield, 18, and Marina Pirozhkov, 16, are thrilled their art is hanging in the window of Simon's Stamps, a Main Street business in their hometown.
''I love to draw,'' said Penfield, a senior at the high school who did an acrylic painting of a sunflower. ''I find it so interesting. I've always loved art and what could be better than having your art displayed in your hometown for everyone to see. It's so cool.''
Pirozhkov concurred.
''I've always been interested in art and love to draw,'' said Pirozhkov, a sophomore who did a colored pencil drawing and watercolor painting of a large swan. ''It's so cool to walk by the window and see my drawing hanging here.''
Diane Clancy and Susan Elkins, local artists whose art also hangs at Simon's Stamps and organizers of the exhibit and art stroll, said it is the third year the Artists of Franklin County have participated in downtown events.
''This is one of our biggest projects and this year we decided to include the younger artists of our town,'' said Clancy. ''We wanted to show support to our local high school and there are some pretty good artists there.''
Elkins said another reason for doing the exhibit is to beautify the downtown while supporting local businesses, artists and the town.
''We want to be part of the local economic engine and foster a creative economy in Greenfield,'' said Clancy.
''It's also very nice for all of our artists to take such pride and receive this kind of recognition,'' said Elkins.
Fourteen area artists, 18 teen artists from the high school and 14 stores are participating. Self-guided tours will begin at the Pushkin on Saturday and Sunday and fliers will be distributed to guide them.
An Arts and Crafts Fair, featuring local artists, will be held at the Pushkin Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. Refreshments will be available and arts and crafts will include pottery, paintings, ceramics, photographs, digital art, handmade clothing and jewelry.
Other students' and local artists' art hangs at the following locations:
u Valley Title, 20 Federal St.
u Valley Tees, 28 Federal St.
u Money Concepts, 48 Federal St.
u Ruggeri's, 82 Federal St.
u L Salon, 18 Miles St.
u Simon's Stamps, 138 Main St.
u Copy Cat, 180 Main St.
u Greenfield Community College, 270 Main St.
u Schaff Opticians, 281 Main St.
u Bart's, 286 Main St.
u Town Crier, 393 Main St.
u Chamber of Commerce, 395 Main St.
u Greenfield Business Association, 395 Main St.
u Greenfield Public Library, 402 Main St.
For more information, contact diane@dianeclancy.com.