"Hidden Treasures": Lamont Gallery Exhibit

To the left of the entrance of the Lamont Gallery, a replica of a ship sports a hand-made hull and metal detailing. The ship, crafted by science instructor John Blackwell, stands next to other pieces—from hand-stitched quilts to jewelry—each made by Exeter employees.These pieces comprise the fifth exhibit of Hidden Treasures, a celebration of the work of Exeter faculty and staff. “I realized how many people [there were] across campus … with wonderful talents that lots of people don't know about,” Lamont Gallery Director and Curator Lauren O’Neal said. “We wanted to find a way to share that, to build community.”One staff member, Costume Assistant Hana Bartosova, displayed jewelry at the exhibition. For her, artistic work began long before entering the Exeter community. “I have been making art since I was in kindergarten,” she said. “There is a brooch pin at the bottom of my mom’s jewelry box that I made by filling spoons full of beads with wax. I have never considered myself an artist until I found the courage to be a part of the Hidden Treasures Exhibit — I guess I am an artist now.”Other artists include Marissa Vitolo, a dorm duty employee who used both painting and drawing skills in her two pieces, Clematis and Lily. “My pieces mean a lot. It takes many hours to create something realistic,” Vitolo said. “I do this type of work to challenge myself. It's a skill-building exercise but also an outlet for my need to create art.”Vitolo, similarly to Bartsova, has been honing her creative side since her early childhood. “I have been making art since I could hold a drawing utensil,” she said. “My mother was a graphic artist and has been teaching art for over 30 years. Making art comes naturally to me. I have been teaching art going on 16 years and have been selling my work since eighth grade in 1994.”Art Instructor Laura Schneider has pursued work professionally and earned both a BFA and MFA degrees in painting. “I think art is one of the most important parts of our culture,” Schneider said. “Painting specifically forces me to slow down my visual thinking and engage in the world with intention. This analog medium keeps me connected to the tangible world and allows me to experience the day-to-day with deliberateness and care.”Schneider decided to display a painting from her series, Scraps, meant to highlight objects that are usually forgotten. “Scraps (upturned pink) features a small scrap of pink curling ribbon that caught my eye due to its architectural bend upwards,” she said. “That small upward movement became an assertive stance that calls one’s attention to that which is small, overlooked or discarded. By enlarging it, I tried to capture the visual experience of witnessing this minor thing becoming major.”Upper and gallery proctor Sarah Kang, who helped arrange the pieces, was impressed by the variety of works and looks forward to students visiting the exhibition to see the widespread talent.  “I hope students see the exhibition and consider all the different facets of teacher and faculty life because teachers aren't only here to teach but are also creative minds,” she said.Bartsova believed the exhibition will foster art in the Exeter community. “If I can make something, so can anybody else,” she said. “It’s so much fun to find people who have the same interests and can help you get started or perfect the craft.”Vitolo hoped that the exhibition will also bring the community together. “I hope students and faculty develop stronger bonds because of the exhibit and that [it gives] us more to talk about with each other besides our work at the Academy.”Contributor and Interscholastic Athletics Instructor Dido Nydick reflected on the different aspects of her character that she hopes viewers learn from her work. “I love to see how much emotion I can get through to viewers in my pieces,” Nydick said. “When they pause in front of my work, I hope they see spontaneity and humor in the simplicity of a stroke.”