Art — An Ingredient of Peace!

Art â014 An Ingredient of Peace!

By Robert C. Raymond, New Hartford

Friendship, the welding of the human spirit, binds one to another. Community is an identity of society. Peace is the goal of society. These are important elements required for peace to exist, and they are available to humanity as I write this article. Sadly these elements of peace are not earnestly quested for.

Unfortunately, the older members of our society remember, only too well, the horrors of our past millennium. A nasty millennium, to be sure, but one that our children have inherited. But there is a bright new millennium beckoning them if they learn from the past rather than forget it. "He who does not learn from the past is bound to repeat it," is the attitude of those who understand, and it certainly is a good attitude to have in these times following the tragedy of September 11.

Will our children forge a better future? It appears that many are trying in a variety of different ways. The Olympics is one. Cultural art, and its exchange, is another. Parents are so important in this endeavor and they are helping â026 My, how they are helping!

At this time the friendship of civilization needs the intimacy of international collaborative exchange. Currently this is happening at the Ann Raymond Center for the Arts. The objective is world harmony; their way of doing this is through interactive friendship by mutual exchange of artwork. Listed here are the names of some of the children who are trying their very best to make this happen:

Alexandra McCreal, Ben McCreal, Danielle Smith, Katelyn Koether, Michlyn Koether, Lindsay Humphrey, Emily Humphrey, Laura Tabaka, Tim Mayorchak, Matt Mayorchak, Lauren Rosati, Jacob Zanderigo, Andrew Morgan, Mark Schebell, Zack Schebell, Daniel Schebell, Brianna Weber, Patrick Kane, Nichole Mangione, Matt Mangione, Sam Hess, Joey Walsh, Matt Hawkins, Wesley Switzgable, Niki Kovacs, Spencer Martin, William Gordon, Jonathan Brasley, Zach Marek, Austin Marek, Ali Williams, Chelsea Condon, Kaitlyn Schneider, Tara von Schmidt, Lauren Shimelman, Abby Holcomb, Noah Marcus, Zach Marcus, Ben Marcus, Kaila Dee, Lauren Alibozek, Jeremy Starn, Lauren Bardino, Bryan Eldridge, Chelsie Girolamo, Sarah Noell, Isabelle Marsh, Olivia Marsh, Abigail Dibetta.

Drawings and paintings by these young artists were well accepted by the international organization known as the Children's World Awareness Museum. Six countries participated in this project: Finland, Lithuania, Indonesia, Romania, Russia and South Africa. Of the 35 local children entered, 23 received awards. The Honorable Mention list is composed of the following ten students: Emily Humphrey, Lindsay Humphrey, Katelyn Koether, Jacob Zanderigo, Kaitlyn Schneider, Noah Marcus, Chelsie Girolamo, Bryan Eldridge, Olivia Marsh, and Isabelle Marsh.

So much for the hands across the sea, but how about the local scene? Well, come and see for yourself! The home town has not been forgotten in all the excitement. The Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library, 10 Central Ave. in New Hartford is hosting the fourth annual exhibit of artwork by the students of Ann Raymond's Center for the Arts from June 21 through July 20. This exhibit, featuring the best efforts of students from age 4-17, is the finest the group has ever produced and a vivid representation of the special work they are doing! An opening reception will be held at the library on Friday, June 21 from 5-7 p.m. For more info call Ann Raymond at 860-379-3972.