Students who participated in the Evesham Historical Society’s Declaration of Independence Art Contest were cited by the school district at a board of ed meeting late last month.
The historical society is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving, understanding and sharing the history of Evesham. In 1988, it acquired the historic John Inskeep/Higginbotham property at 70 North Locust Road, which includes an 18th-century farmhouse, privy and surrounding grounds.
The site also includes an old butcher shop that was relocated from East Main Street. Two floors of the farmhouse have been restored and transformed into a history museum where exhibits include Native American artifacts; a Colonial kitchen; and a vintage schoolroom, while other rooms display 18th- and 19th-century furniture, toys, clothing and household items.
DeMasi School teacher Angela Masson, who helped facilitate the art contest, explained that the competition had the theme, “What the Declaration of Independence Means to Me,” and asked district students in grades four through eight to create original art commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“The idea was born out of having the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War coming this July,” Masson explained. “The historical society across the state has really been working to create opportunities to recognize this historical event, and (the contest) is part of that.”
The submitted art works were presented in multiple mediums and entries were due by May 1. There were 10 winning students, five from grades four through eight and an additional five students were awarded in the categories of painting, sculpture, drawing, written category and mixed media.
The art will be on display at John Inskeep Homestead at 10 Madison Court during an open house to recognize the student artists on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. Residents are invited to view the work and meet the artists at a reception. In addition to that, the society will also host upcoming community events.
“I just want to make a note to all the children who entered (in the contest),” Masson noted. “We had about 40 kids who entered and only 10 of those won, but we saw an enormous amount of talent. So we are incredibly proud to see all of the work that we received and we’re looking forward to acknowledging all of our entrants on June 20.
“Congratulations to all of our participants.”
The historical society treated contest winners and their guardians to an educational day at the Trenton Barracks Museum on May 28.
The students who were cited are listed below by the category winners, then grade:
Evleen Bhandal, painting
Frederick Williams, sculpture
Valentina RamÃrez Ribeyro, drawing
Penrose Black, written
Neya Thattankandy, mixed media
Raina Bhatt, 4th Grade
Hailey Adriano, 5th Grade
Kaitlyn Masson, 6th Grade
Vittoria Vitale, 7th Grade
Derek Bowen, 8th Grade
