Cape Ann Student Exhibitions 2024

In 2024 CAM Educators worked with approximately 650 second, third and eighth grade students across Cape Ann to learn and interpret the history and culture of the region through the collections at the Museum. In a two-part program elementary grades students studied works by the Folly Cove Designers, while eighth grade students explore photojournalism and the history of photography on Cape Ann through a closer look at photographs in the 2023-24 exhibit, Above the Fold: The Photographers of the “Gloucester Daily Times,” 1973-2005. These unique exhibitions, which culminate in month-long installations at CAM, celebrate student artwork alongside works from the Museum’s collection in a professional gallery setting, creating a visual, tangible connection between young artists and professional artists.

Impressions: Cape Ann Second and Third Grade Exhibition

This school year, CAM Educators introduced second graders from Gloucester and Rockport and third graders from Manchester and Essex to the Museum’s collection and the story of the Folly Cove Designers. Students carved and printed their own Styrofoam block print in the shape of a scale from Cassie the Sea Serpent while thinking about patterns and story.

Snapshots: Cape Ann Eighth Grade Exhibition

Eighth graders from across Cape Ann learned about the collection of historic photographs at the Museum, including over a million images from the Gloucester Daily Times. Working with CAM Educators, the eighth graders made collages out of reproductions of these historic photographs and added color to them, inspired by the history of hand-colorizing early photographs.

The Cape Ann Student Exhibitions are funded by a generous donation in honor of the late John Byrnes and with the support of the Essex Cultural Council, the Rockport Cultural Council, the Manchester Cultural Council, and the Gloucester Cultural Council. These local agencies are funded by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

To learn more about Student Exhibitions at CAM, or to speak with the Education Manager at CAM about educational programming at the Museum, email us at [email protected].

Take a Virtual Walk Through the Gallery

Approximately 380 scales made by second and third grade students came together to become a larger-than-life Cassie the Sea Serpent. Students enjoyed finding their prints amongst their classmates’ works.

Eight graders learned about photojournalism on Cape Ann in conjunction with this spring’s exhibition, Above the Fold, and made collages using historic photos from the CAM Archives as well as images from the exhibit. They then learned about the history of photography and hand colored their collages. The collages highlight the creativity and insight of these emerging artists, and are a fun way to re-imagine our view of Cape Ann through art making.

Students working in the classrooms

Every year Educators from the Cape Ann Museum make two visits to each classroom to teach about an artist from the Collection and make art for the Installation in the gallery. The Museum provides these visits free to Cape Ann Schools as part of its mission to support education.

Schedule a Visit

To schedule a visit please call 978-283-0455 ext. 026, or email [email protected], to speak with the Education Manager. You will receive a response back within 48 business hours. (Please note: The Museum’s hours are Tuesday-Sunday.)