by Logan Gruber
operations@thenewsleaders.com
A Sartell native, world traveler and accomplished artist stopped at the high school on Feb. 17 to unveil a painting she worked on in front of students three months ago.
On Nov. 20, Pamela Sukhum was invited by the school to do a live-painting demonstration along with a DJ in front of the entire student body and staff as part of the Art-in-Motion program. This project included an artist residency by Sukhum with 60 students and a one-day pop-up art gallery. And at the end of it all, the school has a new piece of art for the school’s permanent art collection.
“We hit it out of the ballpark with the live performance,” Cori Schneider said.
Schneider spearheaded the founding of the Art-in-Motion program in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.
“It was a great team effort to make this happen, and it’s a testament to how Sartell High School is dedicated to bringing extraordinary opportunities to its school community,” Schneider continued.
Sukhum, formerly a cardiovascular researcher, left the bio-medical field to pursue painting in 2003. She has since traveled the world, from the monasteries of Tibet to the refugee camps of eastern Chad, finding inspiration in spiritual and human connections. Sukhum’s paintings are now featured in the most prominent fine-art galleries in North America, and her paintings generally cost more than $10,000. She offered to do the performance and painting for less than half of her standard fee.
“What a rich and inspiring day we shared with the students and staff of Sartell High School,” Sukhum said. “It was such a joy to work with a school and individuals so committed to helping young people open their eyes to the world, their creativity, their dreams of a better future and shared humanity.”
More than 1,500 people (staff, students and community members) were exposed to the performance. Thousands more will benefit from seeing the actual artwork displayed in the Sartell High School.
Pamela Sukhum spent time with students during an art project on Nov. 20, including sophomore Monte Belmont.
Pamela Sukhum looks on with students as Sartell-St. Stephen High School Technology Specialist Joe Schulte reveals the finished painting on Feb. 17.
Pamela Sukhum paints live in front of an auditorium full of students and staff on Nov. 20.
