Ringgold students’ artwork on display in Monongahela

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Recent Ringgold High School graduate Reilly Neely was looking forward to the school’s annual art show in April that would have allowed her and her fellow senior art students to display their works to the community.

But when the coronavirus pandemic hit the state in March and forced the closure of all schools and non-essential businesses, the art show was called off.

“I’ve been a part of the art program at school for so long and we were supposed to have our big art show in April but that got canceled,” Neely said. “That art show meant so much to me.”

But thanks to a group of Monongahela officials, art from Neely and other students is now seeing the light of day on the city’s Main Street.

Located inside the storefront at the former Mod on Main store at 221 Main St., student artwork is on display for all to see.

The pieces are also up for auction, and proceeds from the winning bids will help fund the students’ college education.

The idea to display the students’ art stemmed from Monongahela Main Street Director Terry Necciai, who was looking to continue his efforts to revitalize the Main Street area.

“I was looking for ways to clean up that storefront window,” Necciai said, adding that the building almost became a daycare center. “This was a way for the community to see how beautiful that building is.”

It took hours of cleaning by Necciai and Ringgold art teacher Jan Dongilli to uncover the beautiful woodwork that had been hidden by more than two years of dirt and dust.

“The storefront is 15 feet deep,” Necciai said. “It’s a great way to get out of the rain and see 15 feet worth of artwork.”

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