Eighth Grader as Art Juror

If a poll were to be taken gauging the average age of a professional art juror, the answer would probably be far removed from middle school. But Celina Jones, who performed that role over the summer for a show at the gallery at East End Arts in Riverhead, is 12 years old and an eighth grader at the East Hampton Middle School.

In the organization’s recent competitive art show, titled “The Gallerist, the Artist, the Critic, and the Kid,” Celina was, of course, “the Kid,” having been chosen by lottery out of a group of artistically talented students from East End public schools.

“Her name was submitted by her art teacher . . . who thought she had the maturity and focus to fulfill the assignment,” Jane Kirkwood, the East End Arts gallery director, said in an email. “He was right. She did a wonderful job.”

Celina herself said she had a great time judging the artwork, which involved evaluating about 730 entries and choosing her own show of 50 works. She joined Peter Marcelle, “the Gallerist,” who owns the Peter Marcelle Project in Southampton, Eric Ernst, “the Artist,” who happens to be the grandson of Max Ernst, the famous painter, and Joyce Beckenstein, “the Critic,” who is a contributing art editor for The New York Times and many arts publications.

“It was an accomplishment because I’ve always liked art, but I’ve never had the chance to do something big like that,” Celina said. “I learned how different people from different places do different styles and different things.”

She is a fan of Vincent van Gogh, so she chose pieces that reminded her of his work, and she also likes sunflowers, so she chose paintings of flowers and nature scenes. She said the experience of being a juror “changed the way I look at art,” giving her a better appreciation of it. The pieces she chose can be seen in a YouTube video about the entire exhibition at youtube.com/watch?v3ZmV-pqejgw.

Celina was chosen as the middle school’s artist of the week two weeks ago, an honor she has received every year since sixth grade.

“She’s always asked advanced questions and is always bringing in her sketch book from home,” Brian D’Andrea, the school’s art teacher, said. “She’s very serious, which is good, and she’s an overall nice and respectful kid.”