By Heather Collins
The Carmel Arts Council’s will hold the opening reception for their Summer Art Show high school art exhibition, “The Idle Mind,” 5 – 9 p.m. on July 8 with a presentation by the students at 6:30 p.m.
“The Idle Mind,” featuring student art work, was produced by the 2017 Carmel Arts Council student curators, Carmel High School junior Alex Thomas and senior Caroline Armstrong.
“The Idle Mind” explores human conscious through the thought patterns of daydreaming and night dreaming.
The students were selected for the CAC’s “Emerging Curator Program” in January. The program offers students an opportunity to explore a career in the fields of art and museum gallery curations. During the program, Thomas and Armstrong were mentored by CAC member and Indianapolis Museum of Art curator, Harriet Warkel.
Warkel has more than 30 years of experience in art gallery curation.
“I think teaching students how to be art curators is extremely exciting,” Warkel said.
During the program, students explored exhibits at the IMA and Soho Cafe & Gallery, selected artwork for the exhibition, chose a title and theme, wrote introductory panels and labels, designed a program and will give guided tours during the show’s opening.
“This was more than just an art project, it was a professional setting. It’s really just me having my first experience at a job,” Thomas said.
Armstrong plans to pursue a career in art curation. Thomas plans to pursue his interests in chemistry and physics, but said the program helped broaden his horizons and changed his view of the world.
Donna Tutwiler, CAC’s Children’s Arts Gallery Coordinator, said she believes this is the only opportunity in the country for high school students to curate their own show.
The CAC Children Art Gallery is located at 40 W. Main St. The exhibition will be on display from July 7- Aug. 27. Gallery hours for the exhibition will be 5-7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturday at 2-4 p.m. on Sundays.
For more, visit carmelartscouncil.org.
