By Killian Maree—For the North Star Reporter
North Attleborough Middle School Advanced Art students will be showcasing their
creativity next Wednesday at Town Hall.
The pieces will be recreations of historical artwork, a capstone that is assigned every year to combine the techniques the students have learned with art history.
Usually, the pieces are hung up in the media center hallway at NAMS. The Town Hall showcase came about when Amanda Sylvester, an art teacher at NAMS, wanted to share the pieces beyond the school walls after receiving compliments on them from visitors.
Last year, Sylvester started to put the art work up at the Emerald Square Mall, receiving positive feedback.
After noticing that a lot of the walls were empty in local government buildings around North Attleborough, Sylvester met with Town Manager Michael Borg to discuss hanging up students’ paintings there. Borg suggested using Town Hall.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to showcase the creativity and hard work of our students here at Town Hall,” said Borg. “Town Hall belongs to the community, and we want it to be a place where residents can come together and see the people, programs and accomplishments that make North Attleborough special. Giving our students a chance to display their work in a public space is a great way to celebrate them, while also welcoming their families and the broader community into Town Hall.”
According to Sylvester, the main objection of the exhibit is to connect with the North Attleborough community. On top of that, though, Sylvester wants to show her students that their artwork can really make an impact.
“I think it really gives them an opportunity to see what their role is, as an artist, beyond the classroom,” she said. “A lot of what happens in schools stays in school. Kids go home, and they say, “I did nothing today.”
Sylvester’s goal is to have the artwork rotated each year. This year, the artwork belongs to the students that graduated NAMS in 2026.
The Advanced Art program is an elective at NAMS that students have to apply to with a portfolio. Depending on how many applications are submitted, some students may get waitlisted and get to join the class if one of the students selected decides to drop it.
Sylvester has shared student’s work online in the past, but she believes seeing it being displayed in person is a unique experience important for all artists.
The public is invited to attend the showcase on Oct. 14 at the North Attleborough Town Hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.