Current Art Exhibits
May 2026
James E. Mahoney Foyer & Wakelin Room
Wellesley Public Schools K-12 Student Art
Wellesley’s art department is for the entire district for grades PreK – 12. Elementary levels focus on hand eye coordination as students become curious about what can be and what the meaning behind it is. Students are challenged to observe artwork and ask themselves questions about art. What is art? What are they looking at? What are its positive attributes and how can it be improved? As students move to the middle school, they continue general art courses in grades 6 and 7. Art instructors challenge students to solve problems and hone their basic skills of observation and critical thinking. In grade 8, students can begin a concentration in a subset of art course offerings of their choice. When students become high schoolers, art is an elective and students who choose to study visual art can concentrate on a particular art offering or can explore the many types of art within the program of studies. At the high school level, students can continue to learn in their art courses for personal expression, artistic intent and become part of a family within the school walls.
Lucky U Display Case
Nancy Schon: Aesop’s Fables
Nancy Schon is a Boston-based sculptor, celebrated for her warm and evocative representation of human and animal figures. Her work, characterized by a profound sense of empathy and detail, captures the essence of her subjects — making them relatable and endearing to viewers of all ages. She is best known for her iconic Make Way for Ducklings sculpture in the Boston Public Garden, which brings to life the beloved characters from Robert McCloskey’s classic children’s book. This charming installation has become a cherished landmark, delighting generations of visitors with its playful depiction of a mother duck leading her ducklings.
Schon’s Aesop’s Fables sculptures are a masterful series inspired, of course, by the ancient, previously enslaved Greek storyteller, Aesop. With a collection of twenty-four sculptures, each piece corresponds to one of the twenty-four letters in the Greek alphabet, creating a symbolic link to the origins of these timeless tales. Schon’s imaginative approach not only pays homage to the cultural heritage of Aesop’s fables, but also serves as a tribute to the universality and enduring relevance of these stories. Learn more about Nancy Schon and her work at schon.com.