Several students from Leominster High School showcased their artwork in a local exhibit, marking a significant milestone for both the students and their teachers. The event, hosted by the Sterling Arts Collaborative (SAC), took place on November 8 and 9 at the historic 1835 Town Hall in downtown Sterling.
Art teacher Shelly Saben, who leads the art department at Leominster High School, submitted her painting alongside works created by her students. This was the first occasion for LHS to participate in an SAC exhibit, and it also represented Saben’s debut as an exhibiting artist. Her colleague, Linnea Romhanyi, also contributed one of her pieces to the show.
Saben expressed the joy of witnessing her students’ enthusiasm and pride in their work. “The pride they have in their work is such a wonderful thing to experience,” Romhanyi remarked. “Seeing their creations displayed alongside adult artists instills a sense of accomplishment in them and illustrates that art is a lifelong pursuit that enriches life beyond the classroom.”
The exhibit featured a diverse range of artists, spanning from elementary school children to a participant over 99 years old. The displayed works included photographs, paintings, and various other art forms.
In a statement following the exhibition, the organizers of the SAC highlighted the impressive engagement of the artists with the audience. “It was especially impressive to see the exhibiting artists who made themselves available to attendees to discuss their work and share thoughts,” they noted on social media, encouraging the public to follow their Facebook page for updates and more images showcasing local talent.
Among the standout contributors from Leominster High School were juniors Lola Couture, Ivan Kaidalin, and Huynh Tran, as well as seniors Sid Imbriani, Kenzie Moyen, Avin Ruiz, Erin Sargent, and Natalie Smith. The exhibit also featured Sophie Lopez, a sophomore from the Leominster Center for Technical Education Innovation.
Saben emphasized the importance of the exhibit, stating, “It was wonderful to have an opportunity to showcase our students’ work in the fall. Most other exhibitions and competitions we enter are held in the spring.” She expressed hopes for continued collaboration with SAC to further expose students to the artistic opportunities within the local community.
For Saben, this event held personal significance, as she displayed her painting titled “Kids Boots” alongside a pastel drawing created by her mother, Joanne Fortin. Sharing her journey, Saben explained that after 30 years of teaching and raising her children, she resumed pursuing her passion for art while enrolled in a master’s program in her late 40s.
“Exhibiting my work was something I hadn’t thought much about; it was never really a priority for me artistically. Teaching and mentoring students brought me joy,” Saben reflected. She credited her mother with encouraging her to present her artwork, recalling that Fortin took one of Saben’s paintings off the wall to submit to the SAC fall art show.
The exhibit not only highlighted the talent present within the community but also served as a reminder of the vital role art plays in education and personal growth. As Saben and her students look forward to future collaborations, the success of this event underscores the value of local artistic initiatives and the support they provide to aspiring artists.
