Hempfield Area art show returns with student exhibition that will benefit people in Ukraine

Hempfield Area High School art students are gearing up for an exhibit this weekend that will celebrate their resilience while also showing support for Ukraine.

The student art exhibition, scheduled Friday through Sunday at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, is the first time in two years students are presenting their artwork in-person because of the covid-19 pandemic. Up to 250 students are expected to present during the show.

“This year’s exhibition will feature ‘Sunflowers of Peace’ in support of the people of Ukraine,” said art teacher Emily Daignault, noting that donations will be accepted during Friday’s opening ceremony to benefit Ukrainians impacted by Russian attacks. “Sunflowers are also a perfect symbol of the resilience our students have demonstrated over the past two years.”

Over the years, sunflowers have come to not only symbolize happiness but have become a symbol of peace throughout Ukraine’s history.

During the event, artwork filled with sunflowers will be presented, as well as Peace Petals that were assembled into large sunflowers to be displayed at the museum entrance.

In addition to artwork, students will also help curate and install the show, entertain with musical performances and create edible art. Others will create art live at the museum.

“Having a student art show is like the championship game of the art world,” Daignault said. “Players and artists alike need to feel connected and committed to achieving their goals. Our students work so hard and deserve to be recognized at the ‘big game.’ This show allows students to be a part of something special.”

The event comes after the pandemic largely upended day-to-day activities and forced students into online learning.

“To say we were deflated would be an understatement,” Daignault said of the past two years. “That being said, however, many students still made amazing art. With no community exhibition, few could appreciate their job well done.”

Prior to the pandemic, Hempfield’s art show had been held at the art museum since 2014.

During Friday’s opening ceremony, which runs from 5 to 7 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to create their own peace petals and sunflower-themed art.

Donations will be accepted for the Massachusetts-based nonprofit, Sunflower of Peace, to help provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians stranded in the country.

The event coincides with the Greensburg ArtsWalk, scheduled for Saturday.

“We are incredibly proud of all of our students,” Daignault said. “This exhibition will certainly allow the students to stand tall and hold their heads high like a sunflower.”