About the Artist
Avan Shah is a 7th grader at Doherty Middle School and has always had a passion for drawing since early in his childhood. He loves being outdoors whether it is spending time hiking various mountains, skiing in the trees or swimming in the ocean. His experiences from the outdoors have been the inspiration for much of his art work. This collection includes his favorite landscape drawings and sunset scenes.
Avan has many other interests and hobbies, including playing soccer, skiing and squash, participating in his school math and academic bowl teams, and traveling with his family. Last year, he authored a children’s book of short stories with his grandfather titled “Walks with my Dada” for which he also provided the illustrations for each story. The proceeds from the sales of this book are donated to North South Foundation, which is a charity that provides academic scholarships to deserving, underprivileged students in India.
Artist Statement
These drawings reflect my vision of how I see the world around me. I try to show the wonders of nature which will hopefully encourage others to help stop pollution in an effort to preserve nature and its beauty. — Avan Shah
Display Case in Reference Room – Kristina Trott 
Kristina Brainerd Trott’s exhibit chronicles the Hurley’s house, located at 56 Bartlet Street (see Andover Historic Preservation website, Spaulding House, for a full history) which was taken by eminent domain, and demolished, in 1970. The Town planned future Schools’ use of the property. Nothing was done with the land for 11 years, and during the summers of 1973 and ’74, Kristina took it upon herself to document the flourishing little ecosystem just down the street, knowing it was doomed (but not when).
- Wildflower species (58)
- Tree species (10)
- Butterfly species (19)
- A brief essay on the value of “vacant” land
- Natural history photographs, taken on Ektachrome transparency film with a Rolleicord Vb twin-lens camera
- Historical and 2017 photographs of 56 Bartlet