Student Online Art Gallery Ranked First in State; Art Teacher Receives Leadership Award

Post date: Dec 28, 2012 8:25:48 PM

In recent years students at Wells Elementary School have displayed their art work online in their own art gallery hosted by Artsonia.com. This year, Artsonia, the world’s largest online art museum for K-12 students, picked the WES gallery as the best gallery from all galleries created by Maine students for the 2011-2012 school year. Schools are ranked by various criteria including the number of artwork in a gallery, fan club members and artist statements.

“This is a big deal for technology and community involvement,” wrote WES Art teacher Sandy Brennan in a letter to parents informing them of this news.

In addition, Brennan received the 2011-2012 Leadership Award from Artsonia for her guidance in assisting students with this ongoing project. Her award reads: “For outstanding leadership during the 2011-2012 School Year in the following areas: Family and Community Involvement in Education (and) Technology Integration in the Arts.”

In a letter to Brennan informing of her award, Artsonia CEO Jim Meyers wrote, “The Artsonia Leadership Award honors teachers who go beyond the classroom walls to encourage family and community involvement in Arts Education. The award also recognizes significant achievement in the area of technology integration within the school arts program.”

This is not the first time WES has been recognized by Artsonia. Art work submitted by WES students was ranked number 2 in the state for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years. Brennan also received a Leadership Award from Artsonia for 2010-2011.

“I was thrilled to see Wells Elementary as number 1 in the state,” commented Brennan. “I am so proud of my students- they work hard to create great work. I'm also proud of the parents and all their support of my Art program. Huge thanks go to Maryanne Foley and the volunteers who help photograph student work.”

The volunteers Brennen refers to include Ashley Breton, Marcia Ciorra, Lissa Kaszynski, Barbara Franks and Shannon Barber.

The WES gallery address is: www.artsonia.com/schools/Wells12.

Caption: Sandy Brennan with several of her fourth grade students:

(l to r) Sean, Alex, Amanda, Stacia, and Aulia who is in front.