Art students from Salem High were among the many in the Roanoke Valley that got the chance to interact with artists from Roanoke’s sister cities in Poland, France, Korea, Brazil, and Russia – and all they had to do was show up for their regular class. The experience is part of Artview 2010 – a community-wide and community-involved event that culminates with a huge international/regional/local art show at the Roanoke Civic Center Friday through Sunday, November 5 to 7.

“It’s very good to be in a high school class to share art with another culture,” said French performance installation artist Jane Motin. “Everyone’s sensitive to that.” She and Polish sculptor Robert Suchinski visited the school on Wednesday, October 27.

Suchinski prepared a film for the students, so that he could communicate his ideas and feelings about art with visuals of his work. Even though he wasn’t very fluent in English, the deep connection he has with his postmodern artistic method and ideas of space existence were communicated well.

Two days earlier, Russian artist Grigory Gurevich – an artist in many mediums, but also a mime – happened to be visiting at the same time that Salem High’s Theatre 101 class was studying how to mime, said art teacher Patti Pope. He generously taught them. Korean sculptor Kuk-Hyun Park also visited the school on Friday.

The international artists will create installations based on their ideas of Roanoke. Regional artists will create a collaborative installation “to create a single “voice” from Roanoke” the website says.

Along with being “gophers/go-fors” for the international artists on Wednesday before the art show, the Salem High International Baccalaureate art students have submitted 25 self portraits to be used in an exhibit “Visions & Voices of Our Children” with other self portraits from around Roanoke and around the world. Salem High’s graphic design class also created self portraits to submit. Art teacher Patti Pope said they know how they will be used until the show.

Hours:

Friday, November 5: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Group Tours), 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. Open to Public

Saturday, November 6: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Open to Public

Sunday, November 7: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Open to Public

Ticket Prices:

$8 for adults; $4 for students (with ID); Free for children 12 and under

Tickets may be purchased by clicking here, by calling 540-853-5483  or may be purchased at the door throughout the event.

For more information, visit www.artview2010.com