(This is an archive story, please refer to the byline for author name)
By Robbie Hill
Famous artist Vincent Van Gogh once said, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” Throughout the years, the art department spent a lot of their time and dedication together as one perfecting the art that is displayed around the school for everyone to see.
“I really enjoy the collaborative pieces because they allow so many students to show an individual creative response to the prompt and when they are placed together, they compliment each other.” Art teacher Jacqueline Bandy said.
Bandy has been with the school district as an art teacher for seven years, teaching a total of 27 years as a whole.
Naturally, this all starts with simple planning. Fellow art teacher Kellyn Neunlist and Bandy spend the summer months, as well as their in-service days planning what art the students will be creating. The students give ideas on what they want to make as well. Art classes 1-4 work collaboratively to create and display the art we see around the school today.
“The ideas of creating come from emotion, passion, and motivation.” Senior art student Kaci Ervin said. “Putting all of those together can make something very personal and beautiful all as one.”
Recently, the art department created “mood rings” that are currently displayed above the courtyard exit in the gallery. This piece was also created collaboratively. The mood rings are made of colored, glazed clay. Uniquely designed, they are stacked on top of one another to give off a spire or totem effect.
“I made my clay mood ring a colorful piece.” Ervin said. “It features rainbow-like colors and peace signs to symbolize my feeling I chose, which was ‘happiness.’”
Art such as this takes time and effort to execute. The art department cares deeply for their creations, and every factor that leads up to it. As time consuming as it may be to design, it is always worth it in the end.
“It feels like we only work for a few hours together, when in reality, it’s been weeks or months.” Ervin said. “Time goes by fast with good people creating great art with you.”
Not only do the students work on collaborative projects, they also individually create their own art to display. Most of the individual art pieces are displayed in a glass showcase displaying not only the art, but also the name of the student and which class they are in. As of recently, there are drawings that hang on the wall in C hall gallery that were individually created.
“Each drawing/artwork hanging individually in the gallery is created by individual students and they meet different criteria for each assignment by using a variety of assigned media's and/or challenges.” Bandy said.
The art students are given “challenges” to create something based on what they were assigned. This is much similar to a writing prompt in a typical English class, but on a more visual and precise level.
“Most students choose subjects that they find appealing or ideas that come from their individual frame of reference.” Bandy said.
It has been proven that creating and designing art increases self-esteem, as well as other positive feelings. In this case, the art department takes great pride when it comes to working with one another to achieve the greatest so they can find satisfaction for not only themselves, but for the school as a whole. Many students also appreciate the therapeutic and positive effects creating art has on them.
“My driving passion is creating pieces that make me very happy and expressing my emotions through art.” Ervin said.
Students outside of the art department learned to appreciate the talent and handwork it took to masterfully accomplish these art pieces that bring a new level of uniqueness to our school. Many of these art pieces are displayed everywhere in the school a person can think of, including the cafeteria, C hall, A hall, the courtyard, and other places.
“I love what it is in the glass cases by the art hall and the auditorium.” Senior Maddie Mandl said. “I admire that they are able to express themselves freely through their artwork.”
While art is being created, many people do not realize the major effects it can have on people. Not only can art change one’s mood, it can also bring a whole new perspective on something when visually shown for all to see.
“A single artwork can speak volumes about an experience or fight for a cause.” Bandy said. “ Art challenges one to think and hopefully disturbs and awakens your mind so that you are more accepting and welcoming of diverse ideas into your frame of reference.”
Overall, the art displayed in our school brings out a meaning much more than a person realizes. It can unify people and bring upon new ideas to the world that could change it for the better, which has been proven to do throughout our history. Art helps people interpret things and even shape someone’s mind and thinking process. Without art, the world would be bleak not only in terms of scenery, but also our knowledge. The art students at our school successfully provide the knowledge and design we all need in life.
On Feb. 17, the art department will be showcasing their art in a district wide art show.