NORTHFIELD — Some of the community’s youngest artists have had the opportunity to see their work featured in a formal exhibit.
“It’s not often that young children get a chance to show in a real gallery,” said Marge Anderson, president of the Deerfield Valley Arts Association, which recently rebranded its venue at 105 Main St. as Fiddleheads Gallery.
The final weekend of the exhibit will be Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
“The students have had a tough time over the last couple of years with at-home schooling, mask wearing and unable to play with friends,” Anderson said in a statement. “Our members thought it might be fun for both the gallery and the students to have them create art that could be shared by all who visited. The results are quite remarkable, and it has been a feel-good experience for all. When times are tough, making art and enjoying it is a proven therapeutic coping tool. It surely is working here.”
The exhibit, which is the first to feature students from first through 12th grade, contains a wide range of artistic media, she said.
“Most of the (pieces) are very optimistic,” Anderson said in a phone interview. “There are a lot of hearts and rainbows, and things like that, which was really nice to see.”
Students who participated in the exhibit primarily attend Northfield Elementary School, according to Anderson. Other Franklin County schools represented include Bernardston Elementary School, Great Falls Middle School, Four Rivers Charter Public School, Turners Falls High School and Frontier Regional School.
“The parents have told me it was a great opportunity,” Anderson said. “We plan to extend it next year and hopefully we’ll get more schools involved. We also hope to keep it up longer (next year).
Elisabeth Barton’s daughter, Nia, is among the artists featured at Fiddleheads Gallery this weekend.
“She was very excited to participate because she has always loved art,” Barton said of her 12-year-old daughter. “Since she was a little girl, she’s been so creative and has a super creative mind.”
Barton said her daughter works in all mediums, and has an eye for art wherever she is.
“If she has a vision, she can create something, basically out of anything,” Barton said. “She’s done things at the beach with sticks and rocks and driftwood; she’s built beautiful sculptures.”
New name, new signs Last fall, members of the Deerfield Valley Art Association met to hang a temporary banner outside the Main Street gallery, holding a place for when a permanent sign can be installed with the venue’s new name, Fiddleheads Gallery.
Anderson explained the previous name of the venue, DVAA’s Center for the Arts, didn’t “roll of the tongue.” People also often questioned what the letters stood for.
A committee was formed to explore options for a new name, as well as the design of a new logo and sign.
“Our organization is 90 years old and it’s moved around,” Anderson said. “We didn’t want something that was tied to a particular area.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne