Hopes And Dreams At Children's Museum Of The East End (CMEE)

By Colin M. Graham

CMEE Director Stephen Long (far left) with some of the participating children at the opening reception for "Hopes & Dreams." Photos by Colin M. Graham

Bridgehampton - The Children's Museum of the East End (CMEE) held the opening reception for their first Community Art Contest & Exhibition entitled "Hopes & Dreams" recently. The contest, which was open to all children aged three to 10 living on the East End, asked the participants to think about their hopes, dreams, and desires for 2009 and draw them on an 18" x 24" piece of paper. The entries were judged by Elisca Jeansonne from the Merz Gallery in Sag Harbor, with prizes awarded in each of the four age categories, three to four, five to six, seven to eight, and nine to 10 with the winners in each group getting their pieces framed and put on display at the Merz Gallery.

Victoria Russo next to her winning picture.

According to museum Director Stephen Long, choosing the winners was a difficult task even for the professional eye of a gallery owner.

"Elisca said trying to pick winners in this group was a really tough job, because there were so many good pictures and good ideas. In the end it wasn't so much about winning as it was about getting kids to think about their hopes and dreams for the coming year and of course getting kids to see themselves reflected in the museum; I think the goal of every museum is to have its audience feel like they belong there with exhibits that speak to them."

Winner in the nine to 10 category was nine year-old Victoria Russo, with a picture that combined both a hope for the coming year as well as a passion she plans to pursue in 2009. "I drew myself with a black Labrador because I really want to get a dog in 2009, and I also drew myself on the beach with a bunch of surfboards because I love surfing. I started this past summer and I'm already really good at it," she beamed, proudly expressing ownership of her winning picture as she pointed out an impressive array of other details she included in the piece, all of which had their own meaning.

The winners in the other categories included Cecil Munshin in the three to four group with Sophia Ader, Kalista Kahler, and Jack Cooper receiving Honorable Mentions; Mary McMahon in the five to six group with Chloe Vargas, Ashton Triffitt, and Lily Marie Schaffer as Honorable Mentions; Finn Kelly in the seven to eight bracket followed by Richelle Hodge, Milo Munshin, and Jillian Vargas as Honorable Mentions; and finally Emma Norris, Ryan McMahon, and Kate McGovern being awarded Honorable Mentions in the nine to 10 age group.

The pieces will be on display in the Museum's temporary gallery for the rest of the week before hopefully moving on to the walls of area businesses.

"We would really love to have the work displayed elsewhere on the East End because the work is just so lively and hopeful." Long said with a smile. "It helps put all the turmoil people face in their adult lives into perspective by making you realize that things aren't so bad that they can't get better."

• Local business and galleries interested in putting any of the work on display are encouraged to contact CMEE at 631-537-8250.

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