What happens when 100 young artists start with a small, blank canvas

The Arts Guild of Sonoma this month showcases 100 original works of art by Sonoma students in its annual “Small But Grand” art exhibit. The show, open now, runs through May 1. The gallery will host a public reception on Saturday, April 8, 5-7pm. 

Participating are Adele Harrison and Altimira middle schools, taught by Cheryl Coldiron, and Sonoma Valley High School, taught by Renate Kuprian. Each canvas measures 8×10” and was created especially for this show. 

The high school students were free to use any style and theme. The middle schoolers based their works on their study of three different eras of 20th century art.  The resulting pieces will be visible in the front window exhibit area of the Arts Guild gallery at 140 E. Napa St. Selected works will be available for purchase and all proceeds will go directly to the individual students.

The annual “Small but Grand” student art show has been hosted by the Arts Guild of Sonoma for many years, funded by a grant from the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation, a Sonoma nonprofit organization dedicated to funding creativity development and arts in education for Sonoma Valley schools. 

“The exhibit lets us contribute to what can become a student’s lifelong love of art,”  said AGS President, Margery Mayer. 

Cheryl Shimek, co-president of the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation board, added, “Many adult artists can point to the encouragement they received and the skills they learned as a child that enabled them to integrate art into their lives later on, whether personally or professionally.”

Bob Leigh is the owner of Fine Line Art in Sonoma, which proudly donated the 100 canvasses. “We see students and teachers all the time at our store,” he said.  “We see the excitement in their eyes as they experience new materials and methods and see the opportunities to create their own art.”

Cheryl Coldiron, who teaches art at both Middle Schools, Altimira and Adele Harrison, said, “Art education provides opportunities for students to express themselves, and it has been proven that creating art helps kids understand other STEM subjects.”

Art needs to be shared and talked about, believes Renate Kuprian, art teacher at Sonoma Valley High School. “It is communication that connects us humans, be it through images or words.”