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Edgerton art gallery shows off young talent

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

A peapod marker picture by 6th grader Marissa Ramirez and a portrait of Barrack Obama by 6th grader Brady Cooke are among the youth art month pointillism pieces on display at My Place Teen Center of Edgerton.

EDGERTON — Not many sixth graders can say they've been featured in a community art gallery.

But 12-year-olds Danielle Erb and Allison Lawrence will be able to say that this weekend.

They're two of about 30 students who contributed art to the first My Place art exhibit. The teen center, 15 Swift St., Edgerton, opened its doors in March. It will celebrate the exhibit with an open house Saturday.

Brian Forss, a local artist and parent, came up with the gallery idea as a place for young people to showcase their talent.

"We're really hoping it can be a local focal point," said My Place founder Phill Klamm. "Edgerton actually has a lot of artists in town."

The gallery will focus on youth art but also will display art by adults. Several of Forss' drawings and photographs graced the walls this week.

Middle and high school student art—including an impressionist painting of a sunset, a watercolor painting of jelly beans and a metal engraving of a skull—lined the hallway.

The featured exhibit displays examples of pointillism, which is pictures made of tiny dots. Offerings include a dog, Barack Obama and a peapod.

Sixth graders at Edgerton Middle School created the works in teacher Jamie Prahl's art classes.

"Sixth grade really works hard at this project, and it's very time-consuming and tedious," Prahl said. "I knew they would be very proud (to have their work displayed)."

Danielle and Allison are excited to participate, they said. Both drew pictures of flowers.

"I think it's really cool that I get to be in an art show," Danielle said.

Both hope to bring their families to Saturday's event.

"I'm glad that people will get to see what I can do," Allison said.

The event will include music, refreshments and prizes.

Volunteers have been collecting donations to mat and frame the art. They hope to offer one exhibit a month and reuse the frames.

"We really want to get these matted and professionally framed and up so the kids can really show off their skills," Klamm said.

If you go

What: Youth art gallery open house

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. A formal dedication will take place at 1 p.m.

Where: My Place teen center, 15 Swift St., Edgerton.

To help: The center is collecting donations to frame and mat the artwork. If you want to donate, call Phill Klamm at (262) 492-0303.