By Cindy Zomar, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – Being a nationally ranked school known for its progressive and challenging STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum, the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (AMSA) in Marlborough delights in showing the community that arts and humanities are also an important part of the school curriculum.
At the recent Winter Arts Show, parents and visitors enjoyed listening to the students’ chorus perform and wandering through the art exhibits lining the hallway, showcasing a wide variety of media, techniques and subjects. In the lobby of the building known as the Upper School, the Advanced Placement art students displayed a series of their projects as well.
The school requires that students take at least one credit in art before graduating, and currently offers chorus, Western art masterpieces, drawing and painting, 3D art, printmaking, multicultural art and digital media.
Indhy May, a junior from Maynard, spoke about her involvement with the National Art Honor Society, which formed a chapter at AMSA two years ago. The current project within the school is called The Memory Project, and it is also in its second year.
According to its website, “the Memory Project is dedicated to promoting intercultural awareness, friendship, and kindness between children around the world through the universal language of art.”
AMSA students received pictures of children from Russia this year and were asked to draw a portrait from that photograph which will then be sent back to the child in Russia. The students will trace their own hand on the back of the portrait.
“This is such a great concept,” May said, whose portrait subject was a 10-year-old boy named Gleb. “It is really cool to send a little piece of yourself to someone you don’t even know in another country.”
May added that she has been an AMSA student since sixth grade.
“AMSA caters to my learning style by pushing me to stay motivated,” she said. “That is really great for me, and I love being here.”
For more about AMSA, visit amsacs.org. For more information about the Memory Project, visit memoryproject.org.
Photos/Cindy Zomar
