Art Show Highlights Student Creativity

Photo Credit: David Utt

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April 28, 2010 • Matt Adams, Writer  
Filed under Student Life

Once it was a blank walled meeting and an empty gallery turned into a sanctuary and museum of art and creativity of the St. Andrew’s students. During the art show (April 19- April 30), the work of students, grades 4 through 12 was displayed in the show in Kreeger Gallery. The different types of media that were displayed during the art show, included drawing, painting, photo, ceramics, 3D sculpture, and computer graphics.

The student art show used to be shown in the chapel with overflow in Kreeger Gallery, but because so many students now submit their art, it had to be moved into MacDonald Hall.

Mrs. Tracey Goodrich, the ceramics and art teacher, commented on the exhibit, “I loved the art show. I am always completely impressed with the quality of work the students produce. I also loved how the middle and upper school’s art was split between the two levels.”

Mr. Gary Wyatt, drawing and computer graphics teacher, stated that “Students always bring good art in and every year shows the work of the talented students at St. Andrew’s.”

The art department had made some changes to the exhibition this year, including that the awards given out only by parents, selected by St. Andrew’s Parent Association instead of both parents and faculty. The student’s art is now judged by an objective standpoint. These parent judges are chosen for their expertise in an artistic medium.

However, some students don’t like the idea that there are no more department awards because it’s no longer on a personal level and the judges don’t see the art being created in the class, just the final result. In the years past, each teacher called on the students to come down and a personal speech was given about the students and their work. This past award ceremony, students were told just to stand as their name was called and the speeches were general.

Annie Engelstad, a junior, said, “I wish they still did the department awards because the judge’s don’t see all the hard work and effort that students put into their pieces [in the classes]. The department awards were always nice because the students who got the awards really deserved them because their teachers had noticed their hard work and effort as well as natural talent.”

Mrs. Lauren Cook, head of the visual arts department, stated, “The main weakness of the student art show is that it does not display the hard work and effort that the third trimester arts students put into their works.” These students would have to wait until the following student art show to present their work to their classmates and the community. Another weakness of the exhibit is that during the second half of the third trimester, seniors are not able to submit their works.

Students are not only are dedicated to the arts at school, but also compete in outside art competitions. One such example is Madeline Goldberg, senior, who placed third in photography at this year’s Best of the Independent Schools Art Competition. The competition took place at Landon and winners were announced on March 13.

During the summer, the school holds many different art classes for students interested in or what to become better artists. Such courses include expanding one’s art portfolio, pottery, woodworking, and many other options. The full list of courses can be found at www.saes.org under the Summer Programs banner.

Cook summed up the thoughts of the department, “ The art show is so inspiring to me because I get to see what is happening in the arts, how students are doing, and to see all the art done all year long in one place… it’s the most gratifying moment.”

For a full list of award winners, go to: http://www.saes.org/news/detail.aspx?linkid=5325&moduleid=159

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