To unveil the gallery’s newest works and to celebrate each individual artist, School of Education Dean Anne Dichele, faculty, and staff hosted the 2025 Kaleidoscope of Creativity opening reception and recognition ceremony April 8 on the North Haven Campus.

Student artists, families, friends and educators streamed into the School of Education lobby, which is also the gallery site. The reception provided time for them to mingle and to appreciate each beautifully framed work of art created by 31 area students in grades K through 12.  Each year, all of the artwork is matted, framed, and hung by Quinnipiac School of Education graduate students.

“This is a school in which we train teachers to be teachers, and so we’re very excited to have all of these wonderful artists here to celebrate these incredible talents,” said Dichele. “I’m really excited to celebrate the joy and the creativity that these young artists have poured into their work.”

Dichele encouraged those walking through the gallery to take a moment to appreciate the diversity of styles and mediums represented. The gallery radiates with vibrant paintings, intricate drawings, innovative photography and inspiring digital art.

“All of these talented students have explored a wide range of artistic techniques that push the boundaries,” said Dichele. “Congratulations to all the artists whose works are showcased, and to the teachers who have guided and supported these students. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and encouragement to these students. Your efforts have helped shaped the artists of tomorrow.”

Dichele also thanked families and friends for helping their children to flourish in a creative environment.

“Picasso once said, ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain one when we grow up.’ I think this really shows the innate creativity we all have but the real importance of nurturing and preserving it throughout our lives, especially in children,” said Dichele.

Connecticut area partner schools working with the School of Education this year included North Haven Public Schools, Hamden Public Schools, Fair Haven School (New Haven) and Side by Side Charter School in Norwalk.

Side by Side Charter School art instructor Katie Sica said the partnership with Quinnipiac School of Education provided an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the talents of eight students, representing grades one through eight.

“I think this gives our students a sense of pride in their work, and a feeling of accomplishment and achievement,” said Sica.

Mom, Bella Sylvia, said Quinnipiac’s effort to help showcase student artwork affirms a love of creativity in her son, Nico, age 9. His brightly painted imagery blended shades of realism in its New England fall landscape, and impressionism in its swirling colors of wind, sun and sky.

“He loves art; he lives for art. He asks me how we can buy an art studio at some point!” said Sylvia. “Every art teacher we’ve ever had says he’s very committed. It’s beautiful to see his work on display at Quinnipiac University. I can’t believe it.”

Karen Wakeley, a Hamden Public Schools teacher, works in an alternative learning environment with early-learning and high school students. On April 8, together with her student’s family, she celebrated the gallery’s display of a large, colorful paper and paint collage created by Kion Morgan, age 4.

“He creates anytime he is near art materials,” Wakeley said. “It’s just amazing to see it here tonight.”

“I was a little shocked, at first, to see it,” said his mother Kierra Scott. “But to hear his art teacher express his artistic views of how he goes about putting the paper and things together was awesome. Since he’s been in school, he’s been more interested in the artistic side of things."

All of the student artwork will remain on public display in the gallery at Quinnipiac’s School of Education until April 2026.

“This lobby is an art space for everyone to enjoy not only tonight, but for an entire year,” Dichele told attendees. “Every April, we switch it out and give the artwork back to the artists. But in the interim, in the next year, if you want to come visit your art, you’re welcome to do that. You’re always welcome here at the School of Education. I encourage each of the artists to dream big and to continue to create art joyfully.”