Creteau students to create outdoor art gallery at The Ridge

Senior Marie Spaulding works on her space-themed project for the outdoor art gallery at THE RIDGE marketplace. (Courtesy photo/Rochester Public Schools)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Schools' superintendent and Career and Technology Education's director announced jointly today that Creteau Regional Technology Center students will be partnering with Waterstone Properties Group to create an outdoor art gallery at The Ridge.

Over the next few weeks, more than 40 students in the graphic design and art programs will work with staff at Waterstone to create The Ridge Art Gallery Walk.

"Already, our students have been able to showcase their immense talents and creativity as they begin to work on their window designs," Creteau Tech Center Director Halligan-Foley said. "I'm incredibly proud of the work they've done thus far. They are a great example of the talent our students possess as they explore future career paths."

The Ridge is owned by Waterstone Properties Group, a privately owned and self-funded real estate development company with a diverse portfolio of properties in the United States.

"The quality of work presented by these young artists is amazing. I think everyone will be quite impressed," said Josh Levy, co-founding principal of Waterstone. "It is a genuine delight to highlight the talents of these gifted students and teachers from Rochester and present their work for all to safely enjoy."

Students began working on their projects this week and are expected to complete their work early next month. Their teachers - Lori Discoe, Jennifer Daly and Jeff Moses - will be assisting them as well. Waterstone's Community Marketing Manager Jennifer Murphy-Aubin asked the students to create a community-focused vision centered around uplifting, positive words and imagery.

The students are working on their projects individually to create an impactful collaborative effect. Once finished, the art will be sent to AMI Graphics in Strafford to be printed and mounted for a public art walk opening on Nov. 10.

The project gives students the opportunity to build their portfolio and enhancing their graphic design skills while gaining real-world commercial art experience.

"The collaboration between Waterstone and Spaulding High School provides us with a truly unique opportunity that gives us a chance to demonstrate our creative abilities in a real-world application and gain invaluable design experience," Senior Joseph Eischen said.

"Choosing the word 'inspire' helped make outer space my main focus, and it by far my smartest choice for this piece in particular," said Marie Spaulding, a senior. "I had the opportunity to use such bright colors and I think that it really helped me display my ideas. In the end I hope it inspires anyone who sees it, as outer space inspires me."

An outdoor, socially distanced reception will be held on Nov. 10 to showcase the final project. More details can be found on The Ridge Facebook page.

"Partnerships like this are an invaluable, unique opportunity for Rochester students," Superintendent Kyle Repucci said. "We are grateful for the support from business owners like Waterstone and community members in the city, and hope you will join us next month to see the finished projects."