'Faerie-Sized' Art Magic Engages Lower School Art Students

Whimsical and “whee” artistic decorations are carefully being handcrafted in the Lower School Art Cottage as first-grade students and their sixth-grade buddies from last year prepare for the Wee Faerie House Village exhibit at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme this October.

Hamden Hall has the distinct honor of being one of the six schools chosen to be showcased in the exhibit. Overall, there are 27 creative teams working on their miniature fabrications.

“This is the first year Hamden Hall has been a part of such an enriching and creative experience,” said Lower School art teacher Sue Bennett 1973. “The special art display is such a unique experience, and we hope members of our Hamden Hall family will venture out to Old Lyme to see it for themselves!”

In its 13th year, the annual outdoor event brings artists together to create miniature or “faerie-sized” art installations across the outdoor campus. The theme for this year’s village is Twinkle Point: An Amusement Park for the Wee Faerie Folk. Artists must create tiny installations representing roller coasters, arcade games, carousels, or any attraction found at an amusement park.

In keeping with the theme, our students have been working on their version of a multi-media amusement park display. To create the appearance of rollercoaster rides, the students are decorating wooden train cars with organic items including moss, sea glass, and shells. Raffia-woven hot air balloons and colorfully designed tea cups have been placed within the display for added dimension. The students will add the final touches during art classes this month.

According to Mrs. Bennett, the student artists will be traveling to the Florence Griswold Museum to see not only their own collaborative artwork, but all the other outdoor creations as well. The exhibit is on display October 1 through 30.