Tootin’ Hills Art Show Features Real Characters

Article submitted by Simsbury Public Schools

On the evening of April 24th, the Tootin’ Hills Elementary School community held its annual art show, but this time, a very large and lively cast of characters was there to greet visitors in honor of the retirement of art teacher Sherry Brucker, who is leaving after 41 years of service, with 25 years at Tootin’ Hills. Dozens of teachers and administrators volunteered to put aside their usual professional decorum to adopt the personae of a much-loved character from Aladdin, Peter Pan, Toy Story, The Wizard of Oz, and more. Dressed as an “Indian chief,” the master of ceremonies was Tootin’ Hills Elementary School Principal Ron Perrault, who is also retiring this year. Traditionally, each of Brucker’s shows has had a Disney or fairy tale related theme. The exquisite costumes have been sewn over the years by volunteer Sandra Berkner, whose two sons attended Tootin’ Hills. The art show, with student work grouped by theme or by the study of an historically famous artist, featured life-size paper-maiche figures from The Wizard of Oz. An ice cream social, sponsored by the Tootin’ Hills PTO, was a popular draw on this unusual day of warm weather. As Principal Perrault and the other characters greeted the children and families at the door of the school, he reminisced about the first year of the art show tradition, when they had to rent costumes. Chuckled Perrault, “I was Kermit the Frog, and the eye fell out.” After vowing “never again,” the Tootin’ Hills community fortunately went on to continue to enjoy the tradition. Looking back on the more successful costumes he has donned, Perrault said, “People remember [me as] Buzz Lightyear on the roof crying out, ‘To infinity and beyond!’” Brucker was also feeling nostalgic that evening. Gazing at all of the characters and the excited faces of the children, she said, “It is so much fun to see this all come together. Tootin’ Hills is a strong school community, and this really shows it.”