NASHUA, NH – “Brave New World: Resilience in the time of Covid,” is a collaborative public art project organized by Nashua Public School art teachers, Rodney Coffin from Nashua High School North, Stephanie Sewuk-Thomas from Brentwood Academy, and Robin Peringer from Nashua High School South, and involved about 80 students.
With the challenges of Covid 19, teaching remotely, and being concerned with the social and emotional well-being of students and the community, this need to communicate visual and verbal messages of hope and resilience were of utmost importance, the art teachers said. The philosophy of the project was inspired by the “Choose Love Movement,” established by Scarlett Lewis after her son, Jesse, age 6, was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, CT. Lewis says, “The ‘Choose Love Movement’ is teaching children and adults around the world how to change an angry thought to a loving one, and live a life filled with “Courage + Gratitude + Forgiveness + Compassion-in-Action.”
The Nashua art teachers created a website for the Brave New World project to house their research and resources to provide the students at the three schools with a similar learning experience. They report that students embraced the meaning behind the art project and are excited to share their work with the public.
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT:
The paintings have been treated with a marine-grade clear coat to handle the weather. The choice of using a chain-link fence for exhibiting the work was made so it could be a type of street art, in the outdoors, and enable it to be temporary and movable. The organizers would like to find another outdoor location to move it to at the end of this exhibition and are amenable to work with people who would like to host the artwork also. The exhibit is dedicated to the memory of Nashua North senior, Tyler Almeida, who was an inspiration to all who knew him. His spirit carries on through acts of kindness.
Early reactions and notes of praise for Brave New World
“In a time when we need connection more than ever, these students shine their light! I have tremendous gratitude for them. Their compassionate hearts, inspiration and creativity will now provide ripples of smiles in their community.”– Shannon Desilets, program director, Choose Love Movement for State of New Hampshire, Governor’s office
“What a gift these Nashua students have given us as they express their courage, gratitude, forgiveness and compassion to usher in our brave new world! Choosing Love brings forth the creative parts of us, the places that want to be seen, and celebrated! Clearly what they’ve given in joy and expression has come full circle. Thank you for this bright spot whose ripples will continue to extend and benefit, indefinitely!” – Scarlett Lewis, founder, Choose Love Movement
“We hope that this project will have a positive impact on the community by changing someone’s day and making it better when they see it, especially for these difficult times.”– Natalia Pineda, Brentwood Academy student
“This project opened my mind to ideas I would have never thought of. I hope that after you look at our art, you look at the world and ideas around you in a different, more accepting way.”– Jillian Daley, Nashua High School South student
“One thing I love about this project is that it’s meaningful. We were able to choose any worldly topic that interested us, whether it was about ethnicity, global warming, sexuality. I think that now, during a global pandemic, it’s crucial to think about these things, not just for ourselves but for others. It’s important to learn about other people and their struggles, and to make ourselves aware of what’s really going on around us. These paintings will hopefully inspire others to do the same and spread knowledge and compassion.”– Natasha Kazmouz, student member of the National Art Honor Society
WHO: A collaboration of 80 students from the Nashua (N.H.) School District and three arts educators
WHAT: A free, collaborative and movable public art project titled “Brave New World”
WHERE: Outside at Amherst Elementary School, 71 Amherst St., Nashua, N.H. along its chain link fence
WHEN: An opening reception at the exhibit location to celebrate the student and teacher artists will be held on Fri., Dec. 18, 2020 at 2 p.m. There is no reception snow date. The exhibit will run at the school location from December 11, 2020 – February 14, 2021 (Note: exhibit is now up at site)
WHY: The “Brave New World” exhibit and resources website explains: “Art in the street makes people happy! It makes their day and their commute more interesting … Art reminds people to feel alive. It wakes people up. It inspires. Motivates. And sometimes it can make people think … We will be hanging our works of art in the community for all to see. It will visually shout to the viewer how resilient we all are as individuals, and as a community through these uncharted times.”
For more information: