Proceeds from the event will help purchase a tree to be planted at Gateway in memory of the accident victim.
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Emily J. SaveryHUNTINGTON – Emily J. Savery was known for her artistic flair, one she even exhibited in the doodles she would draw on notes to friends, and it is a talent that has inspired an art show in the teen’s memory.
Savery, an 18-year-old senior at Gateway Regional High School from Middlefield, was killed in a Feb. 17 car crash on Bates Road in Westfield, but the impact she had on her friends and the school community remains vibrantly alive through her art.
An art show celebrating Savery’s life will be on display Thursday night in the Gateway Performing Arts Center where other student works will also be highlighted, as well as musical performances.
The exhibit was created by other students to reflect Savery’s personality as well as honor and celebrate her life, according to Gateway spokeswoman Wendy V. Long.
“In honor of Emily’s artistic personality, Kyleigh Lund, 18, a close friend of Emily’s, is putting together an art show of Emily’s artwork, which will include other student’s artwork dedicated to Emily,” she said.
Lund, of Chester, said the event has generated a great deal of excitement among the members of the Gateway community who have joined the fund-raising effort by donating their own works of art to honor Savery.
“It’s pretty overwhelming,” she said. “Everyone is really supportive.”
Lund, along with Emily Lessard, 18, of Russell; Abbi Thompson, 18, of Blandford; Cedie Henry, 18, of Worthington, and Ashlin Dion, 18, of Huntington, who was also in the vehicle when it crashed, organized the event with the help of Savery’s mother, Ann Savery, of Blandford, in just four weeks.
“Her mom has collected Emily’s art that she did on the side and in art classes,” Lund said. “Emily had a lot of talent. She was a natural talent and would draw pictures on anything.”
In addition to the artwork, including about 15 to 20 pieces created by Savery and an additional 10 or so donated by others, student musical performances will be featured during the event, Lund said, as well as a presentation by Henry, who “will talk about who Emily was as a person.”
“This will be a big celebration of Emily’s life and what an amazing person she truly was,” Lund added.
Savery was the kind of person, Lund noted, who at first wanted to open her own bakery, but after taking a woodshop class in school decided instead to pursue a career in woodworking.
“She was really good with woodworking and had just decided she wanted to be a carpenter,” she said. “Woodshop was her favorite class. At first she wanted to open a bakery then she decided she wanted to be a carpenter. They are very different, but that just captures who she was.”
Lund said she expects a turnout of about 100 people, but is hoping for more. The money raised from the $2 art show admission fee, she added, will be used to purchase a tree to be planted at the school in Savery’s name.
Long said the evening will also include a bake sale by seniors who will use the proceeds to purchase butterflies that will be released in Savery’s memory at the high school’s graduation ceremony on June 8.
“Friends of Emily described her as a perfectionist, but always smiling and happy,” Long said. “Her presence would light up an entire room. Along with the outdoors, mechanics, music, cheerleading, and being a part of the Middlefield Fair every year, art was one of her favorite pass-times.”
Just before 12:50 a.m. on Feb. 17 near 233 Bates Road in Westfield, a 1994 Ford Escort driven by Jay Franklin, 23, of Upton, left the roadway, hit a stump, overturned and caught fire. Savery was pronounced dead at Noble Hospital, Dion was hospitalized with liver damage and Upton now faces charges with drunken driving and vehicular homicide. Randy Smith, 22, of Douglas, was the fourth occupant of the vehicle.