Kids' art enhances Maritime Festival

The Salisbury Beach Partnership got many parts of the community involved with the Merrimack River Maritime Festival last weekend. Perhaps the most expansive involvement concerned local children, who were part of the Salisbury Youth Maritime Art Exhibit.

Coordinated through the Salisbury Elementary School PTA, Salisbury Elementary art teacher Shannon O'Brien and Kids Club Summer Program Manager Lisa Davis at the Greater Merrimack Valley Boys and Girls Club, the exhibit gave kids of all ages the chance to create maritime art and have it displayed throughout the landside festival tent, according to Salisbury Beach Partnership Director Kathy Aiello.

"The art these children produce was really wonderful," Aiello said. "For example, the kids that did the 'porthole art' learned about ships and then drew what they might see looking out or in through portholes. It was great."

Different nautical art themes were chosen for each grade, Aiello said.

First grade: Rainbow fish and fish prints

Second grade: Shells

Third grade: Porthole art

Fourth grade: Treasure chest art

Fifth grade: Schooners and pirate ships

Sixth grade through eighth grade: Three-dimensional maritime art

In addition, the Kids Club hand-produced and colored a set of maritime flags that spelled out "Merrimack River Maritime Festival" that were strung around the inside perimeter of the Maritime Festival tent. The show was mounted on Thursday, July 17 and was ready for viewing at the Captains Moonlight Gala, Friday evening, July 18 under the tent at the Reservation.

Comcast was the sponsor of the art exhibit, Aiello said, and provided awards to the children for their artwork.

The Daily News
By Angeljean Chiaramida/Staff writer
Published: July 21, 2008