Bank of Canton Hosts Massachusetts Hospital School Art Exhibit

Shown above: Stephen Costello, Bank of Canton President and CEO; Katy Richardson, Art Teacher at MHS; Kathleen Kalell, Executive Director at MHS; MHS student artists Saadia, Shajvanie, and Ian; and Paul McNiff, Bank of Canton Assistant Vice President and Canton Main Branch Manager.

July 22, 2010 – Stephen P. Costello, President and CEO of Bank of Canton, is pleased to announce the Bank is hosting the Massachusetts Hospital School’s (MHS) Spring and Summer Art Exhibit. The general public is cordially invited to stop by the Bank’s main branch at 557 Washington Street in Canton to enjoy a vibrant art collection created by students of the Adaptive Fine Arts Program. The exhibit runs throughout the summer and features paintings inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, sunflowers, bees, and Ancient Egyptian figurines.

"The art students at MHS are delighted to have an exhibit of their work displayed at Bank of Canton,” said Kathleen Kalell, Executive Director at Massachusetts Hospital School. “Our Fine Arts Program gives these students a wonderful opportunity to utilize the skills they’ve learned during their educational experience. Bank of Canton has been a great supporter of MHS for many years, and we thank them for their hospitality.”

“Bank of Canton is extremely proud to be hosting the Massachusetts Hospital School’s Art Exhibit,” said Mr. Costello. “With the Bank’s rich 175-year history of community support, it’s very fitting that we celebrate Massachusetts Hospital School and its 100-year commitment to helping disabled students achieve their full potential. We invite our customers and friends in the community to visit the exhibit and enjoy the tremendous work these bright, young artists have created.”

Students of the Adaptive Fine Arts Program worked on four different projects involving paper mache figures, canopic jars, flowers, and bees. Paper mache figures were created as part of a 3-D project based on the idea of friendship. The canopic jars were made while studying Ancient Egyptian culture. Students counted and added stones to the base of the figures and jars to incorporate math with their art. While studying Vincent Van Gogh, students drew inspiration from his well known sunflowers and sketched those sold at the MHS Farmer’s Market. And with flowers come buzzing bees. Students sketched the bees before adding color and bringing them to life.

The Massachusetts Hospital School is a Department of Public Health hospital school that provides children and young adults with complex medical problems with educational and recreational opportunities alongside rehabilitative and medical care. MHS provides severely disabled students with the care and skills development they need to maximize their personal independence and ability to enjoy life. MHS is open to Massachusetts children and young adults from ages 6 to 22, who require medical management for a physical disability.