March 2, 2004 > FUSD Education Center Art Gallery opening set for March 5

by Gary Leatherman

The halls of the Fremont Unified School District Education Center on Technology Drive are scheduled to be festooned with more than 300 pieces of student artwork next week in preparation for a dedication ceremony March 5 to mark the beginning of Art Education Month and the grand opening of the FUSD Education Center Art Gallery.

As conceived by Hopkins Junior High School art teacher Susan Manbeian, the gallery will house a year-round display of student artwork. District art teachers have committed to assembling and displaying new examples of outstanding student drawings, paintings and sculpture each month.

Manbeian has worked with district staff to create display surfaces in the entries and halls on the first floor of the Education Center. Tack boards for matted work and oak rails for framed art have been installed. Several planter boxes have been converted to provide display areas for student sculpture.

The grand opening of the new gallery, located at 4210 Technology Drive, will be from 5-9 p.m. Friday, March 5. Students and parents from all FUSD schools have been invited to tour the facilities and to view the inaugural exhibit.

Student performing artists also will be displaying their talents and entertaining visitors throughout the evening. Irvington High School's renowned chorus, the Thor Throats, will perform at 5:45 p.m. The Ardenwood Elementary School Chorus is scheduled to sing at 6:30 p.m.; the Mission Play Group will perform at 7 p.m.; the IHS Dance Group at 7:30 p.m. and the IHS Social Dance group at 8 p.m.

Wells Fargo Bank and the District Arts Team will provide refreshments for the event. The public is invited and admission is free. Anyone interested in further information may contact the FSUD Communications Department at 659-2594.