By David Harry

Staff Writer

It will never be mistaken for the Louvre or Prado, but Plummer Gymnasium at Scarborough High School was the center of the art world for local students this week.

A four-day art show highlighted works in a wide range of media and perspective by K-12 students. Rows of paintings, photographs and drawings and tables of sculptures and ceramics line the gym for the annual show that now faces an uncertain future.

The $10,000 to pay for the show was not included in the fiscal year 2011 budget rejected by voters Tuesday, and the possible elimination of two art teaching positions throughout the school system could eliminate manpower needed to stage the show, now in its 22^nd year.

Erica O’Roak, a senior with five works of art on display, said her plan to become an architect requires a strong grounding in the arts, including the design class taught by Joanne Allen. She also said arts offerings are essential to a well-rounded education.

“It is important for the students to get other perspectives, too,” O’Roak said.

Allen, chairman of the high school arts department, said the show is a great way for residents to see what students are learning.

“I love doing it because we want to have the community see the development of the students K through 12,” she said.

As the show opened Monday, Scarborough High School Assistant Principal Susan Ketch was on hand to guide parents and students looking for particular works of art. She said the future of the show depends on funding and whether teachers want to continue the work to stage it each year.

“I want the art teachers to move it forward – they are the ones picking up the load,” Ketch said. “They have to feel good about that because it is a mountain of work.”

About two-thirds of the funding pays stipends for teachers who help with the show, according to school district budget documents. The remaining $3,200 pays for supplies, including the hardware needed to hang and display artwork from every student who takes classes.

“It is not about the upper echelon of artists,” Ketch said.

Ketch said her biggest desire is to see instruction positions restored to the budget. Budget revisions made April 15 call for the elimination of part-time positions at Wentworth Intermediate School and Scarborough High School and elimination of a full-time middle school teaching position. The cut at the middle school will leave one art teacher for 800 students.

In all, 31 positions were to be eliminated in the $34.9 million budget that includes a $1.3 million increase in the local tax commitment.

While the budget was rejected by a 10-vote majority, a majority of voters also indicated in a non-binding follow-up question that the proposed budget was too small.

Ketch said the best works from the art show are displayed permanently at the high school, and annual winners receive savings bonds. For students from kindergarten through fifth grade, a donation is made to school libraries instead and winners have their names listed on bookplates.

As they led their mother, Terra Loson, through the show, fifth-grader Preslie Sparks and second-grader Janet Loson said the search to find their work is always fun.

It was an opinion shared by sisters Lauren and Kirsten Page as they and their mother, Mary Ann Page, viewed a table of wire sculptures.

“It is fun to come and see what I have worked so hard on,” said Kirsten, a ninth-grader.

Lauren, a fifth-grader, took a longer view of the show.

“I like see everyone else’s work too,” she said.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219