OWL gallery in Litchfield to feature student art

LITCHFIELD — The Oliver Wolcott Library’s next exhibition features mixed media art by students from the Litchfield Montessori School in Northfield. The show opens with a free public reception Thursday, Jan. 4, from 5-7 p.m. The show runs through Jan. 26.

Established in 1972, Litchfield Montessori School is located on a 4-acre campus in Northfield. The school’s curriculum and approach to learning reflects the commitment and vision of Maria Montessori who believed that the educational process should cultivate self-motivation, encourage a child’s natural desire to learn, and promote critical and creative thinking. To learn more, visit their website at litchfieldmontessori.org.

This year’s art show has a theme of “Around the World.” Students have explored different artistic techniques used in many cultures; through their worldly artistic explorations, they can better achieve tolerance, diversification, and understanding of the similarities between various cultures.

The art show will display creations inspired by the indigenous aboriginal dot art of Australia, which is a type of storytelling art inspired by dreams and nature. It will also feature mandalas, inspired by Eastern thought, and which are created all around the world.

The process of making mandalas is just as important, if not more, than the final product. Also featured are paper-cut collages inspired by the French artist Henri Matisse and pieces using the technique of batik, which is a wax-resistant dyeing technique created in many places of the world but quite popular in Indonesia.

Contributed photo Litchfield Montessori School students have a mixed media art show at the Oliver Wolcott Library, opening with a reception Jan. 4.