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01/30/2019 08:06 AMThe Essex Elementary School Foundation is putting a call out to area residents to submit photos of Essex, Ivoryton, and Centerbrook to be part of the Essex Townscape art installation, which is slated to become part of the elementary school’s entrance. The project is in desperate need of additional photos to complete the large format (48”x32”) photo collage meant for the artistic representation of the town, as well as a keepsake for the school representing the past and the present.
“The Townscape Project is an amazing, community-focused opportunity to integrate art with the history of Essex, Centerbrook and Ivoryton,” said Essex Elementary Principal Jennifer Tousignant.
Once finished, the piece will be displayed in the art gallery area in the school entrance, explained Tousignant.
“We welcome and encourage the entire community to take part in submitting photographs,” she said.
Led by Connecticut artist and photographer Rashami Talpade, who has created similar projects in the towns of Southington, Wallingford, and New Haven, the idea is to create something beautiful and visually interesting, in collaboration with the elementary school students, that will document the past and present and remain in the school for years to come.
“My collaborative photo-collage projects are created with members of the community (in this case, with the school children) with the goals of having the students work to create a quality art piece depicting their town, to help educate them about the history of the town in which they live, to increase student’s interest and appreciation of their town, to foster a culture of collaboration and sharing with each other towards achieving a common goal, to develop an appreciation for the visual arts [and] enhance observation skills, to create an understanding of geometric forms and perspectives, and to create a piece of local history,” said Talpade.
According to Tousignant, the project is in need of more photos. The last day to submit images is Monday, Feb. 4. Photos must be of Ivoryton, Essex, or Centerbrook. Digital photographs including smartphone photographs are encouraged; JPEG images are preferred. In addition, prints of historic photographs may be scanned and emailed. Every effort will be made to return prints (any misplaced print will not be the responsibility of Essex Elementary School or the artist). No photographs promoting businesses, commercial properties, individuals, or community sports events will be accepted; however, historic businesses will be considered. The selection of the photographs will be a collaborative effort between school administrators and the artist to highlight the town’s rich history.
Suggested locations for photographs include: downtown, old houses, one’s own house or favorite building, school buildings, Town Hall and public buildings, libraries, post offices, historical landmarks, churches, gardens, animals, birds, butterflies, and wildlife.
Photo submissions may be emailed to essexproject2019@gmail.com or eestownscapeproject@reg4.k12.ct.us. Photos can also be sent in to school with students in envelopes marked “Townscape Project.”