Two Rivers run through Jones House

A quilt of faces: That’s what you can expect Friday at the Jones House, as Two Rivers Community School showcases its art for the community.

“Since the school has been open, the Jones House and the (Watauga) Arts Council have been hosting art shows with student work,” art teacher Kelly Sheets Snyder said.

This year, Two Rivers’ youngest artists have created self-portraits, which will line the wall like quilt squares.

“They are learning about their five senses, so we are talking about the texture of their hair and their clothing, the shapes they see in their face,” Snyder said.

Kindergarteners used yarn to replicate their hair and colored construction paper for their faces.
“I thought it was remarkable how some of them are particularly detailed about the style of their clothing,” Snyder said. “A little bit of their personalities certainly comes through.”

Self-portraits, she said, are an accessible way to kick-start the creative process, she said.
“Everyone has access to themselves,” Snyder said. “Kids want to make art.”

While it might be “challenging” to do at home, self-portraiture would be a great bonding activity for kids and parents, she said.

“I think both parents and kids can get a lot out of it in terms of self-discovery by depicting themselves,” she said.

Each grade at Two Rivers has a different project on display, like aboriginal art by the seventh graders and circular symbolism by the fourth graders. Think floor to ceiling artwork that doesn’t just express a concept – it expresses personalities.

“It’s definitely a highlight of the year for the kids, for me, for the parents,” Snyder said. “It definitely has a high-energy reception.”

For Snyder, who has been teaching at Two Rivers for five years, it’s an annual favorite, one that is met with cheers by students. “Seeing it all together, you can see the diversity in the students and what’s possible,” she said.

Artwork from all 162 students will be on display, with a Friday reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Two Rivers show is just one of the displays you can expect at the Jones House Friday. An ArtMix exhibit is scheduled through Feb. 24, featuring paintings by West Jefferson artist Tonya Bottomley and more. The Jones House Community Center, located at 604 W. King St. in downtown Boone, is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Downtown Boone Development Association director Pilar Fotta said that, even though the Downtown Boone Art Crawl is officially on hiatus, the pleasant weather and unique shows at the Jones House and Turchin Center will still be a draw Friday. The hiatus saves the DBDA in insurance costs, she said. The event will reconvene in April.

“We’re going to move toward a First Friday concept and expand it to attract people beyond thinking about art,” she said. “We’ll also be thinking about dining and shopping and other activities downtown.”