High Museum of Art in Atlanta features 18 high school students from North Oconee, Oconee County and Athens Academy

At the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, current exhibits include works by Leonardo da Vinci, famed Atlanta architect John Portman, acclaimed folk artist the Rev. Howard Finster and 18 high school students from North Oconee, Oconee County and Athens Academy.

http://images.morris.com/images/athens/mdControlled/cms/2010/02/16/563847757.jpg Special Athens Academy art teacher Lawrence Stueck pauses to look at Rachel Donovan’s artwork as he walks along the exhibit at the High Museum.

Special

Athens Academy art teacher Lawrence Stueck pauses to look at Rachel Donovan’s artwork as he walks along the exhibit at the High Museum.

For the third consecutive year, paintings, drawings and even clothing created by Oconee County students are on display in the High Museum's Greene Family Education Center. The exhibit, called "Divergence: A Contained Collection," opened in mid-January and will remain on view until March 19.

Students from the three schools will be recognized at a reception from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday. The reception will be held in conjunction with the High Museum's monthly "Friday Jazz" event, which in February will feature Atlanta-based saxophonist, vocalist and bandleader Will Scruggs.

North Oconee art teacher Cathi Mutimer, who spearheaded bringing local art to the museum three years ago, said the relationship between the museum and the schools began rather suddenly.

"When I was a graduate student at (the University of) Georgia, I was always checking into art education opportunities at the High," said Mutimer, who has taught art at North Oconee since it opened six years ago. "I took a group of students to the museum on a field trip, and someone mentioned to me that the museum had a student gallery area. I stayed after the trip to speak to the people at the museum, and we made arrangements to have our students' work showcased. I felt it was a great way for these students to show off all the hard work they've been doing."

Mutimer said this year's lineup features works from 10 Oconee County High students, four North Oconee students and four Athens Academy students. She added that the exhibit is restricted to Advanced Placement art students at the two public schools and Athens Academy students who are completing their senior portfolios.

Oconee County students (who are taught by Jim Pinneau) include Kristin Bell, Sarah Gordon, Hayley Johnson, Drea Morrow, Michael Meadow, Marianna Satterly, Ethan Sellars, Hayley Tankersly, Julianne Thornton and Megan Williams.

North Oconee students include Lauren Bailey, Rachel Donovan, Mitch Dowell and Dylan Lester. Athens Academy students (taught by Lawrence Stueck) include Lena Adams, Rose Dasher, Julie Liu and Hayes Sligh.

Both Lester and Dowell are exhibiting at the museum for the second year.

"This is really a big deal, and the students appreciate it a lot," said Mutimer, who in December earned her master's degree in art education from UGA. "Everybody gets dressed to the nines for the reception, and everybody's so excited about their work being displayed. It's nice to see how much pride they take in their work, and it's also a nice reward for the hard work they've done. It's a good package."

The work by the students has won critical notice and appreciation, and Mutimer hopes to be able to continue to help local students have their work displayed in such an august venue.

"I hope this is a relationship that continues," she said. "We've basically done it from year to year for the past three years. They usually let me know a week before school starts, so we've been very lucky. They enjoy our students' work, which they say looks very professional. I've gotten a lot of compliments on the shows, and it's nice to pass that along to the students."

Admission for the reception costs $6 for students and $9 for adults, and more information can be obtained by contacting Mutimer at cmutimer@oconee.k12.ga.us. For more information on the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, visit www.high.org.