Student artwork has replaced the “Welcome to West Hartford” banners throughout West Hartford Center and other parts of town for the summer.
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ryley McGinnis
A average passerby may not notice that the standard blue and white ‘Welcome to West Hartford’ banners have gotten a serious upgrade.
Down South Main Street, from Town Hall to the Noah Webster Library on both sides of the roadway, 20 art pieces from students of all grades in West Hartford Public Schools have been turned into banners that will hang on the light poles and showcase the artwork for the entire summer.
This is the second year that Kelly Smurthwaite, a teacher at Bristow Middle School, has worked with the Municipal Parking department to put student’s artwork on display, and this year the banners are bigger and better, said Smurthwaite.
Last year Smurthwaite bought fabric and grommets and had her art club students paint them, however those materials did not hold up well in the weather last summer, Smurthwaite said.
“It was [Operations Manager] Brooke Nelson, from parking, who brought the project back this year bigger and better,” said Smurthwaite to We-Ha.com. “She was able to get funding for 20 banners that would be professionally made. I asked all the town art teachers if they would submit student artwork for the banners.”
Smurthwaite said this project shows West Hartford’s appreciation for the arts, and students and their families go to see them often.
“I’ve seen students and families taking photos in front of the banners, one student said they had been to see them four times with family,” said Smurthwaite.
The art display also benefits the students. “There is nothing more empowering than seeing your artwork up on display for all to see,” said Smurthwaite. “It creates a lot of confidence in the students.”
Smurthwaite said she hopes to continue the art display with even more banners next year.
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South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
South Main Street has been transformed into an ‘art gallery’ with banners designed by students from West Hartford Public Schools. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
