Feb 8th, 2021
Vol. 10
BELFIELD BANTER THE
Th e S t . Ann e’s -B el fi el d S choo l S tud en t New s l etter
In This Issue:
CULTURE: THE 2021 McGUFFEY ART CENTER NEW MEMBERS SHOW SATIRE: TRAIL MIX DISASTER SAINTLY READS [A NEW SERIES]: SAM SIDDERS FACULTY FEATURE: MR. ALVAREZ EDITOR’S NOTE: JACK DOZIER
REVIEW of the McGUFFEY ART CENTER’S 2021 NEW MEMBERS SHOW by Ellie Powell – There comes a time, dear reader, in which we all ask ourselves, “What am I doing with my life and why?” For me, it was a few weeks ago, when I found myself lying sideways on my couch in a set of Cracklin’ Oat Bran encrusted sweats while watching the sixth season of David Shore’s hit program House M.D. Now, there is nothing wrong with House on its own; Hugh Laurie gives a fantastic performance, and it’s one of the best Arthur Conan Doyle adaptations of the twenty-first century. When you find yourself attempting to draw pseudo-intellectual parallels between a 2004 medical drama and the canon of Thomas Harris, however, perhaps it is time to go outside. Having recently heard that the McGuffey Art Center had a new exhibit on display, I decided to mask up and make the twenty-minute trip downtown to view the work of several brilliant Charlottesville artists. Needless to say, I was extraordinarily impressed by the sheer talent showcased at McGuffey. Upon entering the building, a painting of a large moth by artist Deborah Davis immediately caught
my eye. The high contrast of the insect’s black and white coloration paired with Davis’ unfailing attention to detail creates a strikingly realistic image. The 2021 New Members Show included other local artists such as Barbara Shenenfield, who designs posters reminiscent of the original WPA National Park posters to demonstrate the urgency of climate change in her series, “Communicating the Climate Crisis.” Beyond two-dimensional art, the McGuffey Art Center featured the captivating woodwork of sculptor Frank Shepard in this show, who brought new texture to this colorful exhibit through his intricate creations. Additionally, one member of the broader St. Anne’s-Belfield School community had her work on display at this exhibition. Logan Mackethan, mother of Conrad (‘19) and Natalie (‘21), presented absorbing pieces such as Odyssey and Blushing Back, which one may now examine on her website. Mackethan’s evident expertise as a painter should certainly be a point of pride for our school community as well as the larger community of Charlottesville, Virginia. While the 2021 New Members Show has recently concluded its run in the hallways of the McGuffey Art Center, I am excited to catch their new multi-media exhibition entitled, “Water: The Agony and Ecstasy of the Black Experience.” Be sure to check out the McGuffey Art Center’s website and Facebook page to learn about new shows as they come in.