On May 2, Bedford and Coleytown had its art show.

The Art Show is not only about school art. The Comic Club and musicians also showcased their talent. Lynne Karmen, one of the Bedford art teachers who helped set up and run the event, said there were approximately 400 people there. There were at least 4,000 works of art, averaging three to four pieces per student.

“We hung art on every bulletin board, and when they were completed, we created panels of artwork that were affixed to the walls,” said Ms. Karmen. “And when I say ‘we’ I am referring to the constant support of the parents who gave so much of their time to mat and hang your work. It’s a true collaborative effort.”

This year’s art exhibition is the first all school BMS and CMS show, uniting both school communities.

Ms. Karmen talked about the “buzz” the artwork creates about the school.

“We constantly hear comments about how our school is transformed by the extraordinary work the students have produced. We are thrilled to honor all of your hard work, knowing that it reveals the artistic side of students that few see unless they visit our art studios.”

Curating and creating the art show is a time for the art teachers to admire the artistic growth over the school year. “It is a powerful way for students to reflect upon our teaching as well. Your artwork guides us as we develop new opportunities for the following year of art,“ said Ms. Karmen.

The Art Collective, a student club of Bedford artists run by Mrs. Cecily Anderson, is also involved. It creates public works that reflect what is happening in the community and produce artwork that transforms physical space and asks the viewer to respond to and think about issues in a new way,

Parents, grandparents, siblings and friends came to see the show.

“I’m happy to see my daughter’s and other kids’ art,” said Mrs. Mindy Ji, the mother of a Bedford 6th grader and a Staples Senior, commnenting on her six grader’s artwork. “Drawings from 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, clearly show progress. The art has complexity and design, and it shows that time was put in. I love to come to the art show; it has great food and awesome music.”

Chartwells, the company that provides school lunches for all eight Westport public schools, catered the event. A team of several parents also volunteered to bake desserts and serve the food.

The Bedford Art Collective also had several fine pieces of art. In the main entrance, there are several “chandeliers” made out of painted boxes. Also, in the hallway overlooking the courtyard, there is a 3D picture of a desk with a charging cable around it. This was to show how electronics are taking over are “school” life.

Juliet Benner was one of the students who came to see her work displayed and those of her friends. “I really like the artwork. I’m excited to hear great music and eat good food. There’s a lot of fun art!”