Greenhills artists shine in Ann Arbor shows

By Nina Joss

Greenhills had a banner year participating in the Neutral Zone’s recent “Potential” exhibit. Of over 300 submissions by students at area schools, this year’s “Potential” juror chose only 67 pieces for exhibition, with 11 of them created by Greenhills artists.

Carolina Wheat—formerly the director of recruiting at the University of Michigan’s School of Art and Design and an admissions official at Parsons NYC, Parsons Paris, and more recently, The New School in New York City—served as juror this year. Wheat is now an independent consultant for strategic enrollment management, an artist liaison, and a curator.

By Ani Freeborn

“That’s why we were absolutely delighted to have 11 Greenhills students accepted to the exhibit,” said Greenhills Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair Rob Kinnaird. “It’s really a big deal to get into this show, so to have so many students selected is really testament to the level of art work coming out of this school.”

Kinnaird said he and fellow art teacher Nicole Burroughs “couldn’t be happier” about the results.

See a Flickr album of  works selected

In addition to honors earned by other students, sophomore Addison Czartoski received a “Best in Show” designation by Wheat, along with a $100 prize.

The following students had their works included:

“Potential” exhibit

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The Neutral Zone’s “Potential” show ended April 27, but that wasn’t the end of the successes for Greenhills artists this year. The school’s 22nd Annual Art Exhibit remains on display at the school, and will be available in the Campbell Center lobby until May 18.

The show’s opening night April 27 saw the fine arts join the performing arts, as Neil Donato’s Greenhills Jazz Band entertained art patrons congregating in the dining room and in the Campbell Center gallery.

See a Flickr album of the evening here

This year’s guest guest juror for the show was also the school’s visiting artist, 1973 Greenhills alum Diana Wege. Wege, a professional artist in NYC, worked with middle school classes as well as an upper school painting class during her nearly week-long stay. She and art teacher Nicole Burroughs were able to take the painting class to Mathaei Botanical Gardens for a location-painting exercise, something Kinnaird said the students found richly rewarding.

See a Flickr album of Diana Wege speaking to upper school assembly

“We are grateful for Diana’s willingness to share her expertise with our students this year,” Kinnaird added. “We were so lucky to have her.”

Wege selected the following students for the Campbell Center exhibition:

Grade 6

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Grade 7

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Grade 8

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Upper School

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