LOWELL – Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union recently held a reception at their Lowell Branch on Merrimack Street to recognize the artistic abilities of several Wang Middle School students. The students’ artwork is now on display at the branch, taking their talents from the classroom into the public for all to see.  

“We are happy to showcase the work of these talented students,” said Mark S. Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. “It’s always great to see what new pieces they create and we enjoy giving them the opportunity to share their work with the community,” he added.

From mid-February through late spring, the artwork of 17 students in grades 5-8 will be displayed on the shelves of Jeanne D’Arc’s Lowell Branch. The colorful artwork demonstrates various techniques of art, which includes illuminated letters made by embossing metal, dessert paintings made with acrylic paint, sculptures made out of repurposed books and more.

At the reception, the proud students showed off their pieces to their family members and loved ones, enjoyed cookies and refreshments and received certificates of achievement for their hard work and accomplishments.

“For many of these students, art is where they shine, so we are really glad to have the opportunity to boost these students' confidence by publicly recognizing their talents,” said Marta Magnus, Wang Middle School Art Teacher.

The partnership between Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union and the Wang Middle School art program began in 2011. Ms. Magnus thought her students should be acknowledged for their unique and individual efforts. Using her own money and the free time she had, she approached local businesses with the idea to have her students’ artwork displayed in their buildings.

Since then, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union has been the only area business that has continued to collaborate with Ms. Magnus by exhibiting the art pieces and rotating them out every few months to give more students the opportunity throughout the school year and into the summer.

Area residents are encouraged to stop by the Lowell Branch, located at 581 Merrimack Street, to view the students’ inspiring artwork.

Photo cutline: (From left, back row) Marta Magnus, Wang Middle School Art Teacher, Marie Maseng, Wang Middle School Art Teacher, Greg Passeri, Wang Middle School’s Vice Principal, Mark S. Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, gather with Wang Middle School students, (front row, from left), Christina Grillakis, Grade 7, Brendan Quealy, Grade 6, Damien Teap, Grade 5, Julie Thach, Grade 7, Anastacia Teap, Grade 8, Savannah Cameron, Grade 8, Katherine Brown, Grade 5 and Isa Sao, Grade 5 at Jeanne D’Arc’s Lowell Branch to recognize their artistic talents. The artwork of 17 students in grades 5-8 is currently displayed at the branch.

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About Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union:

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union was established in 1912 and is a full-service, member-owned community-based financial cooperative with more than 78,000 members and $1.2 billion in assets. It operates seven full-service branches in Lowell, Dracut (2), Tyngsboro, Chelmsford, Methuen and Westford, Massachusetts; high-school branches at Lowell High and Dracut High schools; a loan center in Lowell; and mortgage centers in Chelmsford and North Reading.