On January 11 and 13, Creative Connections convened a panel of jurors to select artwork for inclusion in our 2011 International Children’s Art Exhibition. This dedicated group of artists and educators met at the Wilson Avenue Loft Artists (WALA) studios in South Norwalk, CT, to review nearly 3000 pieces of student artwork from 72 ArtLink exchanges between students in the US and partner classes in 27 countries. Students participating in ArtLink are asked to create artwork reflecting some aspect of their life and culture to be shared with their partner class. This year, in recognition of the importance of water in all cultures, and the different roles it might play, students were asked to incorporate water into their artwork. Our jurors were asked to select those pieces which they believed offered the best insight into the artist’s life and culture in the context of the water theme.

Creative Connections extends its deepest thanks to our jurors – Grace Shanley, Miki Porta, Hanneke Goedkoop, Jane Caldwell, Mary Beth Nisco, Susie Salomon, Susie Hurwitt, Susan Newbold, Arianne Kolb and Trudie Larrabee – for their time, their enthusiasm and their perseverance in this enormous task. We are also profoundly grateful to the artists of the WALA studios for their hospitality in providing us with the space to carry out this effort.
Creative Connections’ International Children’s Art Exhibition will open at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on May 19, 2011 and will be on display there through the end of June.
Artwork: “The Time Water” by Bianca, Brazil