Four groups of MMI students received regional awards in the 2018 Interdependence Hexagon Project XII, a worldwide art competition that is designed to help youth learn about interacting with other cultures.
The group of Olivia Bartholomew, Lucy Butkiewicz, Anna Cabell, and Mackenzie Igdalsky finished first in the Theme Recognition category for best capturing the 2018 project theme of Transforming Conflict. The team of Kaitlyn Overa, Morgan Strecker, Daniella Vasquez, and Grace Warner finished second in the same category. Paige Matchick, Elizabeth O’Donnell, Alexandra Tierney and Althea Stewart received the award for Most Effective All-Over Interpretation, and Lindsay Horvat, Anna Hoxha, David Castro, and Chance Eyerly captured the award for Most Relevant to Interdependence Theme or Themes.
The International Interdependence Hexagon Project is a visual arts opportunity for young people ages 4 to 18. The project asks children to create art within the infinitely interlinking shape of a hexagon, which is used as a metaphor for interconnectedness. The Hexagon Project is held as a part of the global Interdependence Day celebration, with local events held in Scranton.
The students’ work will be on display from September 7-30 at the former Things Remembered space on the second floor of the Marketplace at Steamtown, located at 300 Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton. The exhibition will open to the public on Friday, September 7 from 6-9 p.m. A recognition event will be held on Sunday, September 16 from 1-3 p.m.
Interdependence Day was launched in Philadelphia on September 12, 2003, in commemoration of September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States. Organizers looked at the project as a way to help students connect outside of their social, economic, political, artistic, and academic “boxes” and interact in a spirit that is more collaborative and creative.
Since launching the event in Philadelphia in 2003, there have been major Interdependence Day observances in Rome and Paris, along with Philadelphia and in communities and on campuses around the world. Scranton has celebrated Interdependence Day since 2006. The commemoration is organized by a planning committee comprised of volunteers from the cultural community, the secondary and higher education community, local civic groups, religious groups, local libraries, county government, and many others.
The Hexagon Project competition was held this past spring. Students were encouraged to use art as a way to explore global themes, issues, and ideas in school. This year’s theme, Transforming Conflicts, was a call to promote global citizenship. It was designed to enable the student artists to develop an understanding of, and make connections among, local, national, and global issues and develop skills for civic literacy, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, peacebuilding, and personal and social responsibility.
Students were asked to collaborate on the project and create a hexagon in either a drawing, painting, collage, print, digital, or relief sculpture form. Judges from the Interdependence Day Scranton committee selected the winners. Award categories included individual and collaborative work, single and multiple hexagons, ceramics, artists’ books, graphic design, photography, and 3-D sculpture. Recognition awards were judged on overall visual impact, creativity, and appropriate content related to themes of interdependence.
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CAPTION: Four groups of MMI students received regional awards in the global 2018 Interdependence Hexagon Project XII art competition. Pictured are, first row, from left: Chance Eyerly, Grace Warner, Kaitlyn Overa, Anna Hoxha, Lindsay Horvat, Morgan Strecker, and Althea Stewart. Second row: Alexandra Tierney, Gina Galada, Paige Matchick, David Castro, Daniella Vasquez, and Olivia Bartholomew. Missing from photo are: Anna Cabell, Elizabeth O’Donnell, Lucy Butkiewicz, and Mackenzie Igdalsky.
About MMI Preparatory School
For 139 years, MMI Preparatory School has been providing dedicated area students with a comprehensive and inspiring 6th through 12th grade college preparatory program that maximizes each individual’s academic, social, and character potential in preparation for success in college and beyond. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS). MMI is a school where every student can reach their full potential: academically, ethically, and socially. For more information about MMI Preparatory School, visit www.mmiprep.org or call 570-636-1108.