This article was written by Cecelia Gill.
On Tuesday, May 9, the high school hosted an art show where students from all over the district had the chance to have their artwork displayed. Fellow students, parents and friends had the opportunity to view the hard work and talented efforts of many student artists.
Hosting the art show is more challenging than one might think. In fact, staff and students start planning for the show at the very beginning of the year. Art teachers Tanya Lockwood and Tricia Erickson know the process well considering that is was the 15th district wide art show. The art teachers made sure that each art student had a piece of art to display, if they desire.
“It was an all-inclusive show where we want every student to have the opportunity to press out one piece of artwork,” said Lockwood. “Sometimes there are exceptional pieces in addition to the one that the student chose that we definitely would like to have on the shelf.”
The art that was displayed was not only from the students at the high school but also from students at all three elementary schools, East Oakview, North Oakview and West Oakview. As well as the middle schools, Crossroads and Highlands.
“There’s so much [great artwork] from elementary all the way to high school,” said Lockwood. “The little ones [have a] joyful expression and they are emerging as young artists.”
Preparing for the gallery is a complicated task involving multiple components, all needing to come together pre a successful show. The operation ranges from collaborating with other teachers to the two day job of setting everything up.
“There’s a long process of getting invitations created, printing the brochures and the blue ribbons, lining up guests, people to come, potential gifts and reserving space,” said Lockwood.
There is also planning from the art students, they use the resources that the art department gives to create a piece of art that means something to them. Junior Neveah Terrell wanted to place a piece in the show to which she felt the most connected.
“I like to portray something that is only existing in someone’s head. I don’t like to create physical things, but something that you can only imagine,” said Terrell.
Sophomore Mylie Krull viewed the gallery and had many positive thoughts. She also had art in the show but enjoyed having the chance to see others’ work.
“I thought it was set up very well. I went to the one last year but I noticed this year we had a lot more art and it was a lot more organized,” said Krull. “I really enjoyed seeing all the AP art, how they had their setup, and how hard it was.”
Krull believes that the art show might give students more confidence. Having art in the show could prove to young artists that they have talent that is worth showing to other people.
“I think everyone has creativity. I think sometimes people don’t realize and they just take art classes because they have to take an art class. But if they are in the show they realize that all these other people have art up and I have art in the show too,” said Krull.
Lockwood had many ambitions for this year’s art show as well for future ones. She hopes that having the art displayed will benefit the young artists as well as inspire the viewers.
“[My goal] is to celebrate as many students as possible, and give them a platform to shine and to see and allow others to see their art,” said Lockwood.