Both Ends of the Rainbow returns to gallery
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed school life for students attending Peachtown Elementary School in Aurora, said art teacher Nica Weeks. That’s why she’s so happy that the Schweinfurth Art Center is opening Both Ends of the Rainbow in its gallery this year.
Last year, the pandemic forced the art center to shut down, so staff switched the popular exhibit to an online format.
“We are a small school, and we are so excited that we can be part of the community through this exhibit,” Weeks said. “The students are thrilled to be able to see their work hanging up.”
Both Ends of the Rainbow, the Schweinfurth Art Center’s annual exhibition of art by students and seniors, will open Feb. 28, 2021. The show includes the work of pre-K to 12th-grade students in the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES district and seniors age 65 and up who live in Cayuga County or are members of the Schweinfurth.
“We are pleased to be able to offer students and seniors the opportunity to see their artwork hung in a professional gallery,” said Schweinfurth Executive Director Donna Lamb. “We are taking several steps to ensure that it is safe to visit the exhibition.”
Key among those steps are not holding opening receptions and requiring reservations for visiting the gallery. “We are disappointed that we cannot host all our student artists and their families on the opening day of the exhibit,” Lamb said. “That reception has regularly drawn up to 1,500 people.”
The art center has instituted several protocols to protect staff and visitors from the coronavirus. Attendance in the gallery is limited to 25 people at a time, so visitors must make reservations to tour the exhibit by calling 315-255-1553. Visitors without reservations may have to wait to enter the exhibit.
All visitors must wear masks during their entire visit and are encouraged to use our hand sanitizing stations. A full list of the protocols can been seen on our website.
Also, the Schweinfurth will be making a virtual tour of the exhibit available for people who cannot come in person. Click here to tour the exhibit online.
New this year is a display of artwork made by teachers who have students participating in the show.
Weeks said the pandemic has altered the way she teaches. “It was quite a challenge,” she said. “The students’ work was more focused on the technique rather than the materials. In previous years, they focused on the materials.
“It’s been a very interesting year,” she added.
The Schweinfurth will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The exhibition runs Feb. 28 through April 3.
Students from the following schools and districts are participating this year:
– Auburn Enlarged City School District
– Cato-Meridian Central School District
– Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency Head Start
– Peachtown Elementary School in Aurora
– Skaneateles Central School District
– Southern Cayuga Central School District
– Weedsport Central School District
The Schweinfurth Art Center’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.