River Arts and the Lincoln Academy are pleased to announce the tenth annual Lincoln Academy Student Art Exhibition, which takes place April 11-26 with an opening reception on Thursday, April 11 from 5-7 p.m. at River Arts. Parents, community members, and patrons of the arts are invited to attend the reception and meet the artists, enjoy refreshments and help celebrate the students’ works.

This show reflects an ongoing partnership between River Arts and Lincoln Academy, an independent, comprehensive high school in Newcastle. The mission of River Arts is “to nurture appreciation, encourage participation and provide opportunity in the arts.” Exhibiting students’ works and engaging the students in the exhibition process is just one way that River Arts fulfills this mission.

The exhibit will showcase ceramics, sculpture, and two-dimensional pieces, including drawing, painting, photography, collage, and mixed media work, from over 45 Lincoln Academy art students.

“In the two dimensional work produced by my students this year you will see a prevalence of figures, the many attributes of humanity, and the evidence of humankind on our surroundings,” said art teacher Nina Sylvia. “The range of work, styles, and media is exciting, and we hope the public will take as much pleasure in viewing the show as we do in producing it.”

Jonathan Mess, who teaches ceramics and other three-dimensional work, said that “… beyond glazing, surface design is now and always something [his students] are more focused on. You will see evidence of sgraffito, slip trailing, faceting, wax resist, piercing, torching, inlay, sprigging, bubble glazing, agate ware as well as many others.” In addition, the show will feature metal work.

“Metal sculpture has played a new role in Lincoln Academy’s visual arts department, offering up an alternative material, new processes and techniques for students to create art with,” said art instructor Kirsten Campbell.

Mess said “These high school students are getting a professional artist's experience of preparing for a show; making, hitting deadlines, writing artist statements, editing work, titling, pricing and marketing. As art educators, we take pride in giving our students a quality art exhibition in which to learn about themselves, their peers, and their world through making and exhibiting art.”

The public may also view the students’ works at any time during business hours between April 11 and 26.

River Arts is located at 241 Route 1, Damariscotta. Winter hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 563-1507 or go to riverartsme.org.