WTHS Art Students Collaborate with Local Photographers for Exhibit

Todd Stahl’s studio in art class at Webster Thomas High School has partnered with prominent local photographers Quajay Donnell and Richard Colón to present a unique collaborative art exhibition entitled Their Eyes, Our Hands. The show will premiere with an opening reception on May 1 at the Behind The Glass gallery in Rochester.

The project began when Stahl’s students—primarily high school freshmen—sourced photographs taken around Rochester by Donnell and Colón to use as reference imagery for a class assignment. The students carefully cropped their selected images to compose their pieces and then transformed the photographs into striking paintings. The resulting works of art are described as extraordinary, capturing a wealth of personality and intricate detail.

When Donnell and Colón visited the classroom and saw the impressive works in progress, they were so moved by the students' talents that they pitched an exciting idea: hosting a professional gallery show to display the students' work at a gallery they curate.

Their Eyes, Our Hands will feature the paintings of the 20 students in the class proudly displayed alongside prints of the original reference photographs taken by Donnell and Colón. This unique layout will allow attendees to see the direct inspiration behind each student's creative interpretation of Rochester's sights. Student artists include Zoe A., Hana A., Lina B., Emma C., Noah D., Sophia E., Gracie F., Mia I., Molly L., Penny R., Amina R., Karleigh S., Jaylee S., Lucas S., Allie S., Vivian S., Leah S., Adam S., Andrew T., and Lianna W.
 
The Their Eyes, Our Hands art exhibition will kick off with an opening reception on May 1, 6:00-8:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Behind The Glass gallery, located on the second floor of Farmhouse Table at 90 South Clinton Avenue, Rochester. For those unable to attend the opening reception, the display will remain up and open to the public throughout the entire month of May during normal business hours: Monday and Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
 
The community and local art enthusiasts are warmly invited to attend the opening reception to celebrate the hard work of these young, emerging artists and the spirit of community collaboration.