ENJOYING THE WORKS OF MASTERS are these middle school art students, from left, David Matias, Zak Elkins, Zoe Willis, Tanaijah Moore and Sania Brown.
When students returned to Washington Middle School from fall break this week, they may have thought they were walking into the halls of a museum thanks to a new collection of art replicas hanging on the walls. The group includes prints of 24 paintings by famous artists. Michael Best, W.M.S. principal, says, “We are excited to be able to share these replicas of some of the finest artwork in the world with our students. It’s like our own personal art gallery.”
Best says it’s thanks to educational supporters that the school is able to share the great works with its students. “This was made possible from generous contribution from a former education professor of mine, Dr. and Mrs. Ronny Green, and our WMS Patron Board contributors,” he says.
The prints represent 15 periods in art ranging from cave drawings or Renaissance style to Realism or Pop Art.
Some of the works represented in the display include Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, 1503-1506, and School of Athens by Raphael, 1510-1512, both representing the Renaissance style.
Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, 1889, represents the Impressionism style; The Scream by Edvard Munch, 1893, represents Expressionism; American Gothic by Grant Wood, 1930, represents Regionalism; and Turquoise Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol, 1964, represents Pop Art.
Other artists in the group include Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, James Whistler, Winslow Homer, Edouard Mat, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Mary Cassatt, Gustav Klimt, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Diego Rivera, Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns and Romare Bearden.
Best says the collection could expand later. “There are four more art pieces from famous African American artists that we hope to add in the future. Hopefully with additional contributions from local families and businesses,” Best says.
